Robinson Cano didn't like playing for Joe Girardi

As it turns out, the money wasn't the only thing driving Robinson Cano out of the Bronx. In a report published for the NY Post, George King cited a few people close to the All-Star shortstop saying that Cano did not like playing under manager Joe Girardi, and that was one of the reasons he decided to sign with the Seattle Mariners for 10-years, $240 million.

According to three people who know Cano, he didn’t enjoy playing for manager Joe Girardi and that may have factored into the decision, though the Mariners giving him $60 million more than the Yankees offered ($175 million) likely had more to do with him leaving. 

“Robbie didn’t like batting second, he wanted to bat in the middle of the order,’’ one person said. “The Yankees wanted him second because that was best for the team. He wanted to hit in the middle of the order to drive in runs [to increase his value].’’ 

Through the middle of June, Cano shuttled between second and third in a lineup that didn’t have Derek Jeter to hit second or Rodriguez in the cleanup spot. 

For the season, Cano batted third in 110 games, hitting .319 with 16 homers, 73 RBIs and an OPS of .886. As the No. 2 hitter in 42 games, he hit .308 with 10 homers, 30 RBIs and a .955 OPS. 

“He told me he didn’t want to play for [Girardi],’’ a friend of Cano’s said.

I don't know about you, but I think Girard has done a great job since taking over the managerial position in 2008. This past season was a prime example of just how good he is. Given a roster that wasn't even suppose to win, throw in a ton of injuries and having to use a franchise-record 56 players, Girardi still managed to squeeze 85 wins out of his group.

As you probably know, Girardi was re-signed this winter to a four-year, $16 million extension to keep him in the Bronx. he was being targeted by a number of teams, including his hometown Chicago Cubs.

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