Cano has officially shown, this season and last, that he's a streaky player. In order for him to have hot streak in a week or in a month, everything needs to go right. He's either going 3-4 with 3 rbi's a game, or 0-4 with 3 strikeouts.
How much is he going to ask for in the offseason, is the main question. WFan's Mike Francesa said it perfect a couple weeks ago on the radio, when he said he'd give Cano whatever he wants for four years -- nothing pass 5 years. Francesa said, "if not, he can go elsewhere".
I also am not in for giving Cano a ten-year deal. Cano is 30-years old, and we don't know if he'll be the same player at 35.
If the New York Yankees decide to let Cano walk in the offseason, can they still be a winning team? I'd say the answer is: yes. And if the Steinbrenners do, they're gonna need a well, thought out plan in adding specific players that fit right.
Let's say the Yankees let Cano sign with another team. They need to do three things this offseason.
1. Trade For a Young Bat:
No, I'm not talking Giancarlo Stanton. I'm talking more Chase Headley. Yankees need to call up the San Diego Padres and negotiate an offer to acquire Headley.
The Yankees don't need Stanton; they shouldn't be going after superstar players anymore that are pressured to carry a team. I rather have more of a all balanced team.
2. Try to Sign Either Johan Santana or Roy Halladay to a Reasonable Contract:
The Yankees probably have better shot a signing Santana than Halladay. Though both pitchers would be a risky signing -- more risky to sign Santana since he hasn't pitched all year and Halladay has only pitched seven games this whole season.
With Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte probably not returning next season, Yankees have to acquire a front of the rotation pitcher behind C.C Sabathia.
Cliff Lee can be an option as well. And I don't think the Yankees would have to give up much for him, because he's mainly for some team to eat his contract -- or part of it. But why do that, when you can give 1-year deals for Santana or Halladay. Who have a chance to be good.
3. Sign Hunter Pence or Shin-Soo Choo:
Yankees outfield is going to get a lot older next season, with Curtis Granderson possibly not re-signing.
I would like Pence, but Choo would make the most sense for the Yankees since he's power-hitting lefty who can homers over that short porch, and has a high .OBP. Choo is a vintage Yankee player.
So is it impossible to win without Cano? No. But the Yankees have to build and balance the team rightly. They can do that.
