Robinson Cano: M's need 'extra bat'
— -- Robinson Cano thinks that the new-look Seattle Mariners still need some more offensive punch.
Cano, who signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with Seattle this offseason, said during a recent interview with CBSSports.com that the Mariners should look to acquire another hitter.
"I'm not going to lie. We need an extra bat, especially a right-handed bat," Cano told CBSSports.com. "We have many left-handed hitters. We need at least one more righty.
"You don't want to face a lefty pitcher with a lineup of seven left-handed hitters."
Cano suggested to the website that the Mariners re-sign free agent slugger Kendrys Morales, a switch hitter who belted 23 home runs with Seattle last season.
"[Morales is] a switch hitter who's got power," Cano said.
After signing Cano in December, the Mariners also added Corey Hart and Logan Morrison to bolster their lineup. Seattle currently is projected to open the season with a lefty-heavy lineup featuring Cano, Morrison, Kyle Seager, Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders and Brad Miller.
Morales, who remains unsigned, would not cost Seattle any draft-pick compensation since he played with the Mariners last season.
Cano also told CBSSports.com that he would like to see the Mariners sign pitcher Ervin Santana, another high-profile free agent who is still available.
"[Santana is] great," the All-Star second baseman said. "The guy's always pitching; he never gets hurt."
Santana, 31, went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA for the Kansas City Royals in 2013 and has made at least 30 starts in six of the past eight seasons.
The Mariners could have a need for Santana due to recent injuries in their starting rotation.
Veteran starter Hisashi Iwakuma (finger) and top prospect Taijuan Walker (shoulder) both are unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Saturday.
As far as Cano is concerned, the Mariners should have been in contention to sign several free agents this offseason. The five-time All-Star also mentioned slugger Nelson Cruz and pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who both recently joined the Baltimore Orioles after remaining unsigned through most of the winter.
"If it was up to me, we'd have Santana, Cruz and Ubaldo, too," Cano told the website. "That's really more for the front office."
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