Cano and Seager announced as Gold Glove finalists

The MLB Gold Glove finalists were announced and a couple names you may recognize showed up on the lists. Now, while I won't get too in-depth on the actual practicality of a truly, golden glove and its relative merit in fielding, it's important to remember how coveted this award is by the players. Gold gloves, despite the relative lack of use, are what all position players seek to have. You get the golden patch from Rawlings if you want it, you get to brag to your friends, and you get a new thing to eat popcorn out of. While we all know the history of the award not necessarily going towards the truly most talented defender at a position, but the most popular, you still have to have a hell of a season to get the nod.

Representing the Seattle Mariners in the finalists are two figures we likely all assumed would make it in Kyle Seager and Robinson Cano. Seager won his first Gold Glove in 2014 after a breakout year, and although he surpassed his 2014 in fWAR, goes up against a field of Manny Machado and Adrian Beltre. While I wouldn't expect Kyle to end up with the hardware, he's more than deserving after posting a career-best defensive runs saved of +15. Seager also lead the entire American League in innings played at third base this season. Despite the Gold Glove being a defensive award, the thirty home runs won't hurt his odds.

When Robinson Cano was signed before the 2014 season, it was done so knowing that we were getting a two-time Gold-Glover and perennial All Star. While 2015 represented a terrifying slip in form due to injury, his 2016 season just might be the tour-de-force that he always needed to show former Yankees fans that he didn't leave New York to go quietly into the proverbial good night. Cano hit a career-best 39 bombs while having his best season by fWAR since 2012 and continued his patented smooth style of defense that just looks different than any other player alive. The ease with which he plays is confirmed by his best defensive season since 2012 where he committed just three (yes, three) errors. Robi is up against Ian Kinsler and Dustin Pedroia for the hardware. Honestly, I like his chances.

While awards don't do much to satiate a fan base void of playoff baseball, it's important to remember that the Seattle Mariners have one of the greatest infield combinations in the whole MLB in Cano and Seager. For that, I say, let us rejoice.

goms