Robbie Cano's Changing Address

Robinson Cano made headlines on Friday, signing the third-biggest contract in baseball history. Baseball's best second baseman -- coming off five straight seasons of at least 25 homers, 85 RBIs and a .300 average -- leaves Yankee Stadium and its homer-friendly right field for the challenge of clearing Safeco Field's more spacious dimensions (seen below in 2009 when I toured the park).
You really can't criticize someone who "followed the money." But you have to wonder what the change of address will do for Cano. Different rivalries, new pitchers to become familiar with, teammates that might not offer him the protection in the lineup he enjoyed for most of his Yankee tenure. Will he thrive away from the media spotlight? Will his occasional lack of hustle or "too cool for the show" demeanor endear him to fans in the northwest?
The M's parent company Nintendo bet on Cano to become the heir apparent to Ken Griffey Junior. Will he provide the spark that Junior or Buhner or Edgar Martinez did? Will Seattle's owner see the return on this investment -- or will it soon be said that Cano's agent Jay-Z "Pujolsed" GM Jack Zduriencik? As Bette Davis said, "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Stay tuned for the 2014 season.

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