Atlanta Braves trade for seasoned veteran Robinson Canó

The Atlanta Braves added a potential future hall of famer to their system, acquiring veteran infielder Robinson Canó from the San Diego Padres on a minor-league deal.

Canó, who will turn 40 in October, should join the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in his return to the National League East.

With the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners set to pay all but the minimum amount of Canó’s $24 million salary, this is an extremely low-risk deal for the Atlanta Braves, who are lacking left-handed batters in the lineup.

Despite accumulating a pitiful .149 average between the Mets and Padres, Canó has shown signs of life with the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, compiling a .333/.375/.479 slash line with three home runs and 20 RBI in 21 games.

In his final game with the Chihuahuas on Friday, July 8, he went four-for-six with seven total bases, including a home run and two RBI in El Paso’s 11-3 win over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

This will mark Canó’s third team of the season after signing with the Padres in May shortly following his release from the Mets, and his fifth team in his extensive career.

Since his major league debut in 2005, Canó has compiled eight All-Star selections, five Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards along with a World Series, which he won in 2009 with the New York Yankees.

Oddly enough, Canó’s first game with Atlanta could be against his former team, as the Braves host the Mets in a three-game series beginning Monday.

At the very least, this brings another veteran to the Braves’ system, with the possibility of Canó being called up to play in the major leagues for the first time since June 1. It’s hard to question bringing in a future hall of famer on a minor-league deal, especially when it Alex Anthopoulos making the trade.