Report: Mariners could keep Gordon at 2B in 2019 after Cano returns

Robinson Cano's suspension could end up altering the Seattle Mariners' lineup for the long term.

While Dee Gordon, a natural infielder, is moving from center field back to second base for the short term while Cano is on the sidelines, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that Gordon might remain Seattle's second baseman in 2019. Though the Mariners are open to keeping Gordon at second, according to Rosenthal, they'll wait to make that decision until after this season, when Cano returns.

The Mariners were already toying with the idea of Cano moving to a first base and designated hitter role after this season if Nelson Cruz leaves in the coming offseason. But Cano has apparently been reluctant to make such a move as he wants to catch Jeff Kent for the all-time home-run record among second basemen, per Rosenthal.

Gordon initially reached the majors as a shortstop, and spent the last several years playing second with the Marlins before Seattle acquired and converted him to center field over the winter. The transition hasn't been completely smooth, as he's compiled minus-9 defensive runs saved, tying for dead last among qualified center fielders, per Fangraphs - though he's having a solid season at the plate, hitting .315/.341/.399 with 15 stolen bases.

Cano received an 80-game suspension this week after testing positive for Furosemide, a dirutec that can be used as a masking agent. The ban came down one day after he landed on the disabled list with a fractured hand.

The 35-year-old Cano's lone big-league experience at a position other than second base came in 2013, when he shifted to shortstop for a single inning.