Andy Va Slyke is not a huge fan of the talented Robinson Cano.
Van Slyke — the former All-Star who served as first base coach for the Seattle Mariners for the last two years — crushed Cano during a lengthy interview with CBS Sports Radio 920.
Among other things, Van Slyke referred to Cano as “the worst player.”
“Your highest paid, supposedly best player – I mean Robbie’s not a bad guy, let me say that before I say anything bad about how he played,” Van Slyke said in a lengthy interview with CBS Sports Radio 920. “But Robinson Cano was the single worst third-place, everyday player I’ve ever seen – I’ve ever seen for the first half of a baseball season. He couldn’t drive home Miss Daisy if he tried. He couldn’t get a hit when it mattered.”
Cano, hit .287/.334/.446 (118 OPS+) with 21 homers in his second season with after signing a 10-year, $240-million contract with Seattle.
Van Slyke wasn’t done ripping even though the six-time All-Star exploded after the All-Star break.
“He played the worst defense I’ve ever seen at second base,” he said. “I mean I’m talking about the worst defensive second baseman ever – I’ve ever seen in 20 years in the big leagues. He couldn’t catch the ball. No, I take that back. Any ball that was hit to him was an out. Any ball that he had a chance to turn a double play, he’s still maybe the best in the game today. He’s got a great arm.”
Wow.