The San Diego Padres are close to signing second baseman Robinson Cano, the New York Post reported Thursday.
The 39-year-old veteran was released by the New York Mets on Sunday after passing unclaimed through waivers.
The newspaper said a “few teams” have expressed interest in the eight-time All-Star, who is expected to sign a major league contract.
Cano, who missed the 2021 season following a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, batted .195 with one homer and three RBIs in eight games this season.
The Padres are struggling at the plate this season, entering Thursday ranked 12th in the National League in batting average (.227) and slugging percentage (.364).
Cano has 2,632 career hits, third among active players behind Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, both members of the 3,000-hit club. A five-time Silver Slugger award winner, he has 335 career home runs and 1,305 RBIs in 2,246 games with the New York Yankees (2005-13), Seattle Mariners (2014-18) and Mets.
He signed a 10-year, $240 million deal with Seattle in December 2013, and the Mariners traded him to the Mets in December 2018 as part of a six-player swap. The Mets owe Cano about $40 million over the next two years.
–Field Level Media
