ROBINSON CANO (Getty Images)
Robinson Cano believes changing agents provides him a better chance of remaining in The Bronx.
“Robbie wants to be a Yankee,’’ a friend of the second baseman said Tuesday. “He wants to get a deal done.’’
Moving from Scott Boras to Roc Nation Sports, a company headed by music mogul Jay-Z that has partnered with CAA Sports — a move Roc Nation Sports announced yesterday — puts Cano with an agency known for keeping players with their current teams.
Asked if Cano could sign a new deal with the Yankees before he becomes a free agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, who will handle Cano for Roc Nation Sports, clearly didn’t rule it out.
“Sure,’’ he said, “he’s not a free agent until November.”
While Boras isn’t against extensions, when his clients come within a year of free agency they usually test the market.
“I have not talked to Robinson,’’ Boras said Tuesday from his California home. “I got back from a run and I heard about it.’’
Cano, who was in Manhattan yesterday for a Victoria Secret event, refused to discuss the switch in agencies or what it might mean to his chances of remaining a Yankee. He said he will address such matters before tonight’s game with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
Asked what impact Cano leaving Boras for CAA would have on the extension talks that started during the offseason, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he wasn’t sure.
“I have no idea, it’s a personal decision he has made,’’ Cashman said.
Teammate Phil Hughes, who is a CAA client, said Cano never asked him about the agency, but did say CAA has a track record of having its clients stay put.
“They have a history of keeping players with teams they are with,’’ said Hughes, who can become a free agent following this season.
That has been the case with Giants catcher Buster Posey and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.
“Every situation is unique and our methodology attracts strategy to help clients achieve their goals, not ours, and we will do the same for Robinson,” said Van Wagenen in a phone interview last night.
“Nothing is cookie cutter.”
Van Wagenen declined comment when asked why Cano would leave Boras, baseball’s premier agent. He also declined comment when asked what the agency switch might mean for the prospects of Cano remaining in pinstripes when his current contract expires.
Just because Cano has left Boras doesn’t mean his price will drop significantly, however. The number of years sought in any deal could be reduced — Boras may have been looking for nine to 10 years and Cano’s father, Jose, predicted on Feb. 19 his son would sign a six- or seven-year deal — but Cano still is going to bag $200 million or more.
Expect a legal fight from Boras. According to an industry source, Cano recently signed a representation agreement with Boras and is bound to his company for one year. And Boras already was negotiating a contract extension for Cano with the Yankees.
There is also a question how much Jay-Z can be involved. He was recently granted a limited certification by the Major League Baseball Players Association, but if he actually is going to negotiate contracts the Yankee-hat wearing Jay-Z is going to have to apply for full certification.
It is believed LeBron James, who is close to Jay-Z, played a role in Cano joining Roc Sports Nation.
Prior to the start of spring training games the Yankees, according to Cashman, made a “significant’’ offer to Boras and Hal Steinbrenner’s words on Feb. 19 strongly indicated the club wants Cano to remain in The Bronx.
“We just indicated to [Boras], on a very preliminary basis, that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract, and left it at that,’’ Steinbrenner said at the time.
On Feb. 4, Cano’s father, Jose, spoke ahead of Boras.
“I know he will sign for six or seven years,’’ Jose said.
While Boras never publicly stated what he was looking for from the Yankees, industry sources indicated he was likely seeking something in the Prince Fielder (nine years; $214 million) neighborhood.
“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” Cano said in a statement released by Roc Nation Sports. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”
— additional reporting by Joel Sherman
george.king@nypost.com