Asked about Mets second baseman Robinson Cano’s suspension for all 162 games of the 2021 season after being busted for using performance-enhancing drugs for a second time, Yankees reliever Zack Britton praised the testing program.
“Obviously disappointed, you would like the playing field level for all the players. The fact that he already tested positive once you would hope he wouldn’t be doing it again,’’ Britton, the Yankees’ player representative, said Wednesday evening on YES.
Britton admitted he didn’t know the former Yankees second baseman well, but said he was sad to see one of baseball’s premier hitters get caught twice.
“Just disappointed to see a guy with his talent go that route,’’ Britton said of Cano, who was suspended for the same thing during the 2018 season, while with the Mariners. “Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.’’
Britton said he was pleased there is a system in place that is working.
“I am glad the testing works to help keep the playing field level for all the players involved,’’ Britton said.
As the Yankees’ union voice, Britton was heavily involved for the planning of last year’s 60-game schedule that was impacted by COVID-19. When it started, players and general manager Brian Cashman lauded Britton for doing a solid job keeping people informed what was going on.
Now, there is a chance the 2021 season could be comprised as well by the coronavirus.
Asked if he believed next year will house a full season, Britton admitted he didn’t know.
“I am not sure. After everything we went through [in 2020], I would never put my name to anything at this stage. I have no idea,’’ he said. “I am hopeful we can play 162 games with a regular spring training and the world goes back to normal so we all can do that. But we are prepared for any situation that comes up. You can never be too certain at this stage of the year.’’
The 32-year-old Britton had a $14 million option for 2022 picked up by the Yankees after the season and will make $13 million in 2021. Had the Yankees not picked up the 2022 option, Britton could have opted out within five days of the World Series ending.
As for the 2022 option being picked up, there was a drop of uncertainty in Britton’s mind.
“There definitely was due to the financial situation teams are in from what they are saying, I didn’t know,’’ said Britton, who went 8-for-8 in save situations and posted a 1.89 ERA in 20 games. “It was nice to get that call from Cash.’’