The Yankees offered Robinson Cano just north of $160 million — or barely more than half of what the second baseman is seeking.
Thus, the biggest issue of the Yankees’ offseason and near future starts with the team and its best players far apart in trying to reach an accord on a new contract.
Earlier this season, after the Yankees had made two different proposals, the Cano camp countered by asking for a 10-year, $310 million contract. The largest deal any player currently has is the 10-year, $275 million of Alex Rodriguez. If he were to reach all of his home run milestone bonuses, he would make an additional $30 million and $305 million in total. So Cano was looking for even more than that.
Cano didn’t speak to reporters before Thursday night’s game against the Rays, but on Wednesday he acknowledged the home finale 24 hours later could be his last in pinstripes, saying, “Who knows? I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Cano will be the best free agent available this offseason. To try to be proactive, the Yankees offered him an eight-year, $138 million deal just prior to the season. It is the same pact the Mets gave David Wright, but without the deferrals that are in the third baseman’s contract. They followed with a seven-year proposal for between $161 million and $168 million. Cano then made his record request and the Yankees let his camp know that it would never do a contract for that long or that much, especially in the aftermath of what a disaster the Rodriguez deal has become.
These are obvious initial steps before hard negotiations potentially finds something in the middle. But also before other teams could make a play for the All-Star.
To the possibility of playing in another uniform, Cano said, “Man, it’s hard [to imagine]. But at the same time, it’s a business. I’ve got to make decisions for me and family. I’ll just wait for the day.”
Cano represents the first major baseball deal negotiated by Jay Z’s group since the rapper/mogul got into representing athletes. Officials from other teams are wondering what dynamics that will bring to talks since Jay Z grew up a Yankee fan and probably sees the value of keeping Cano both in New York and a Yankee, but also wants to make a statement with this initial foray by perhaps setting a contract record with Cano.
“Out of respect to both parties, we have agreed all along with the Yankees not to comment publicly on discussions regarding Robinson’s contractual future,” said Brodie Van Wagenen, the veteran baseball agent with whom Jay Z is partnered. “I am abiding by that agreement and I will not confirm any discussions or offers or whether there have been offers by either side. As Robinson said [Wednesday], he hasn’t made any decisions on his future. Robinson is among the elite talents in the game and in the final few days of his contract, but he and I will continue to respect the process and our promise to not discuss specifics.”
The Yankees will try to sign Cano at the same time they are attempting to get under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold next season and, obviously, the more they spend on the second baseman, the less they will have for other items. Team president Randy Levine said recently Cano is not a sign-at-all costs player. Nevertheless, the Yankees would be losing by far their best player if he were to be lost and that might hurt their standing further with fans at a time when they have bled attendance this year.
“I’m glad I don’t necessarily have to worry about that kind of money,” Joe Girardi said when told Cano’s asking price. “I think the Yankees have shown interest in Robbie Cano. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. But as I’ve said with trades and free agency, it takes two to tango.”