The moment Brodie Van Wagenen was hired to be GM of the Mets, I heard rumblings from MLB insiders that he was hellbent on acquiring a veteran with postseason experience, Hall of Fame credentials, and a strong reputation across baseball.
During the GM Meetings in November, sources said routine check-in conversations revealed a potential match between the Mets and Mariners, who had future Hall of Fame second baseman Robinson Cano. The M's were reportedly the first of the two teams to raise Cano's name. However, it stands to reason that - since Van Wagenen represented Cano in negotiations of his current contract - that the new GM found his former client to the exact player described above.