Mariners fans are seeing the debut of Dee Gordon at second base this weekend at Safeco Field. He’s moving from center field to his original position at second following Robinson Cano’s 80-game suspension for use of a banned diuretic.
KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel talked with KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick about the fallout from the Cano bombshell.
What's Next?
"Manager Scott Servais said this week that they're going to put Dee Gordon, their new center fielder, back at his old position that he played with the Marlins for several years - and played it very well," Thiel said. "He's going to be the new second baseman."
"Dee Gordon is a very good athlete and has won a Gold Glove as a second baseman. The adjustment period should be very quick for him to get back to his old position."
"They have a reasonable answer in the outfield with Guillermo Heredia, who is platooning in left. He'll get to be the full-time center fielder. And Ben Gamel will be the full-time left fielder."
"As far as the Mariners' defense, I think it's still going to be pretty good. Obviously, they're going to miss Cano's bat."
"He was hitting .287. He's driven in 23 runs and was having a good season at the plate. Not sure how they compensate, but everybody else in the lineup is going to be responsible for doing just a little bit more."
"From a playing standpoint, it's a blow. It's not a complete collapse."
"Cano is going to be out until Aug. 15 and will be able to play the final six weeks, but he will not be able to play in the postseason per the rules of the joint drug agreement between Major League Baseball and the (players') union."
"The medication was what is popularly known as Lasix, which is a diuretic. It's not a performance enhancer but more than 30 years of pharmaceutical science has gone into the decision to ban masking agents because, when it's in the system in a competitive athlete, that is a telltale that they're trying to hide a performance-enhancing drug."
Why?
"The use of some steroids is not about building body mass. It's often about creating endurance and more quick healing from either stress or an injury. And that's what's going on here," Thiel continued.
"Cano is trying, as a 35 year old, to recover more quickly from game to game and recover quickly from injuries. A lot of athletes do that. So, that's what, I think, Cano was probably up to. I don't know. He hasn't spoken to the media."
"Cano owes everybody an explanation. He's out almost $12 million in salary but he's not out of the woods with a lot of people around Seattle."
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