Yes, it is still very early in this offseason/free agent process to have a definite answer to what Cano or the Yankees will do. But WHO wants WHO, more? Does Cano want the Yankees more than the Yankees want Cano? Is the feeling mutual? Or...do the Yankees, really, want Cano more than he wants them? To me, that's the question in all this.
Toward the end of the 2013 season, some felt like Cano could leave the Yankees and possibly join the Los Angeles Dodgers for more money. Only until one of the many Dodger owners, who is NBA icon Magic Johnson, declined a possibility of signing Cano. Ever since then it felt like the Yankees gain massive leverage on the 31-year old second baseman. Maybe...too much leverage.
As everyone knows, Cano is signed with rapper Jay-Z's sports label "Roc Nation". The "Roc Nation" reps are declaring to all MLB teams that a 10-year $300 million dollar contract would land the all-star second baseman. Obviously, Cano won't get anything near that. And the Yankees -- sure as hell -- won't give Cano that, after what they're going through to get rid of Alex Rodriguez and his contract.
After that preposterous offer that was reported, Cano then comes out a few days ago saying he never said he wanted $300 million dollars -- no shit, because you're not gonna get it -- and he's right, he didn't ask for that. His representatives did. And with Cano coming out and saying that, could he be a little a worried about the Yankees' motivation toward signing him...
Do the Yankees really want Cano back?
In these past couple of days it feels like the Yankees...wouldn't mind letting Cano go; if, he's asking for the world. Although I get the notion that the Yankees/Steinbrenners prefer to spend that money on pitching and other key players. I could see the Steinbrenners having no trouble letting go of Cano.
Of course the Yankees want Cano back at second base, on Opening Day. But not for $200 million dollars and definitely not for ten years. I don't think they even want him back for seven years.
At 31-years old, I think the Yankees would rather have Cano for four or five years. Probably an option for the sixth.
Cano could be wanting seven years and the Yankees could be wanting to only go five years. That's, probably, how far apart the player and team are. Cano asking for $300 million was just a rumor. It was stupid for us to even believe in that.
Remember, last year, the Los Angeles Angels signed Josh Hamilton to a 5-year, $125 million dollar contract. And Hamilton is much more of a superior player than Cano, and he got less what Cano is offering. Yes, there's more baggage that goes along with Hamilton. But Cano doesn't have the power Hamilton has, or doesn't play the position he does, which is centerfield.
The Yankees are trying to push for 5-years. If any team goes higher...they might let him go.
The Dodgers say "they're not in on Cano". They say that now, but if they lose out on Masahiro Tanaka to the Yankees and Cano is available, don't expect the Dodgers to sit back and go into 2014 with the same team that nearly did anything in the postseason.
Do the Yankees really want Cano back?
In these past couple of days it feels like the Yankees...wouldn't mind letting Cano go; if, he's asking for the world. Although I get the notion that the Yankees/Steinbrenners prefer to spend that money on pitching and other key players. I could see the Steinbrenners having no trouble letting go of Cano.
Of course the Yankees want Cano back at second base, on Opening Day. But not for $200 million dollars and definitely not for ten years. I don't think they even want him back for seven years.
At 31-years old, I think the Yankees would rather have Cano for four or five years. Probably an option for the sixth.
Cano could be wanting seven years and the Yankees could be wanting to only go five years. That's, probably, how far apart the player and team are. Cano asking for $300 million was just a rumor. It was stupid for us to even believe in that.
Remember, last year, the Los Angeles Angels signed Josh Hamilton to a 5-year, $125 million dollar contract. And Hamilton is much more of a superior player than Cano, and he got less what Cano is offering. Yes, there's more baggage that goes along with Hamilton. But Cano doesn't have the power Hamilton has, or doesn't play the position he does, which is centerfield.
The Yankees are trying to push for 5-years. If any team goes higher...they might let him go.
The Dodgers say "they're not in on Cano". They say that now, but if they lose out on Masahiro Tanaka to the Yankees and Cano is available, don't expect the Dodgers to sit back and go into 2014 with the same team that nearly did anything in the postseason.
