"Question...would you consider letting Cano walk considering he has Boras as an agent, the possibility of picking up Hamels, and letting Joseph and possibly Gumbs (a year or so later) hold up the second base spot?"
That's a tough decision. I would think Gumbs would really have to takes some steps to make me think he can be a very good player. Right now he's just a guy with some outstanding raw tools but lacking baseball skills and polish. I also think because of Cano's ability to hit for power he could slide over to 1st after the Teixera contract is up. The 189 number really puts them in a bad spot as does Cano's skillset. The market really overvalues triple crown stats and that's where he excels. I guess it depends on his contract demands. 6 years for 150M or less I'd do it anything beyond that is a stretch IMO but they know the CBA and they're own budget a lot better than I do.
"I know there is a tendency for 2B to fall off a cliff, but do you think Cano would buck that trend?"
Defensively he's already pretty average so there's concern there but he hits so well he could slide over to 1st and maybe 3rd for a few.
"Were already seeing back of the correct woes as it is; dunno if I would take a few more good seasons from the guy only to have him taking up space and money down the road."
Just too many variables as of right now to actually get a good read on what the "right" move is.
"Then again, it's always a gamble giving a pitcher a high dollar/big money contract too...which Hamels will most certainly get. "
I would stay away from Hamels regardless of the Cano and Granderson dilemmas. I have faith in CC being a horse and I think Nova solid and I feel confident that Man Ban and Pineda will be a positive in the $FWAR department.