WSJ: Is Cano in for a Monster Year?

Yes…unless the “Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, And Ryan Braun Might Face 50-Game PED-Related Suspensions This Season” roidoom happens.

For players of this caliber, who are used to performing while being the focal point, the results are usually positive. All but one of those 10, Johan Santana, had a contract year that was better than the season before it.

So what does that mean for Cano?

Cano is the owner of a sterling .854 career OPS. And it is something of a no-brainer, contract year or not, to expect that he’s going to exceed that mark in 2013—he has beaten it each of the past four years. But there is also a good chance that he’ll surpass 2012’s career-high .929 OPS.

The contract-year push isn’t the only reason that players in their walk years post such good numbers, of course. By definition, players sign these deals when they are at the peak of their careers, with teams expecting big production from them down the road, so it is likely their walk year will be one of their best seasons.

Cano’s manager, Joe Girardi, has seen enough of Cano over years together to expect that Cano will be able to block out the distractions.

“I think Robbie will be able to block it out. I think Robbie will go out and have a good year and play well,” Girardi said. “He might have to answer questions about it. But I’m sure it will all die down once the season starts.”