Cano’s energy “rubs off on everybody”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2011 
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Derek Jeter remains the iconic player in the Yankees clubhouse. He’s the Captain, the team’s leader off the field and arguably the most interesting player on the field all-time status and career-low numbers. Jeter is the Yankees icon, but the team’s MVP might be the guy six lockers away.
This morning, Robinson Cano showed up a day late but looking the same as ever.
“He can hit. He can play defense. He can throw,” Jeter said. “I think the thing that makes him so good is he has fun. You look at Robbie, he’s always smiling. He’s got a smile on his face whether he’s in the clubhouse, on the field. He gets a hit or he hits a home run, he looks like he’s never done it before. He really enjoys playing the game, and I think that’s really helped him in improving the last few years. You look forward to seeing him so happy, because it rubs off on everybody.”
We spend a lot of time talking about “the next step.” It means different things for different players, and for Cano it means moving from all-star to superstar. He seemed to take that step last season.
“Here, you learn from the guys that have been here for a long time and always had great years,” Cano said. “You get to know the league. That’s what I did. I had a good year last year, but I put that in the past now and just start over.”
Here’s some audio from Cano, and a few Cano-related notes.
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• Cano said switching agents to Scott Boras had nothing to do with looking for more money. “They have a great company,” Cano said. “A company that can do everything for you, not only on the field, but off the field too. That’s why I went there. It’s nothing that I’m just thinking about a big contract or anything.”
• The Yankees will almost certainly pick up Cano’s options, meaning he’s signed through 2013. Cano said he has no plans of asking the Yankees for an extension.
• Cano said he never considered the idea of Jeter leaving this winter. “I don’t even pay attention to those things,” he said. “In my mind, he was going to come back. We all know he’s a Yankee. That was the kind of thing that I don’t really worry about.”
• As for Andy Pettitte: “He’s a guy we’re going to miss. He was a great teammate. A great worker. We’re going to miss him.”
• Speaking of work, Francisco Cervelli approached Cano about working out together this offseason, and Cano told Cervelli to come to the Dominican Republic. That’s when the training began. “In the offseason, he never worked that hard,” Cano said.
• Eduardo Nunez also worked out with Cano this winter. “He just needs the time,” Cano said. “Get his experience like anyone else. He’s got good talents, and he can be a good player.”
• Would Cano like to bat third this season? “In this lineup, anywhere that I hit I don’t care,” he said. “We all do our job. Anywhere I hit in this lineup, it don’t matter to me.”
• On winning a Gold Glove: “It means a lot. That’s one of the goals that any player would have on his mind, to win a Gold Glove. Now that I’ve won one I’m so happy, I’m going to work even harder to do that again.”
Associated Press photo
How can you not love Robby to death. There is absolutely no pretense with Robby and I think he possesses such sincerity and humility. I think he’s a total-tool player.
Cano said he never considered the idea of Jeter leaving this winter. “I don’t even pay attention to those things,” he said. “In my mind, he was going to come back. We all know he’s a Yankee. That was the kind of thing that I don’t really worry about.”
**
Wait…So Cano didn’t see the way Jeter was treated???
All-time greatest Yankee infields
1) Tex, Cano, DJ,. Arod (2009-2010)
2) Gehrig, Lazzeri, Konig, Dugan (1927-28)
3) Gehrig, Lazzeri, Crosetti, Rolfe (1935-37)
4) Martinez, Knoblauch, Jeter, Broscius (2000)
5) Martinez, Duncan, Jeter, Boggs (1996)
6 Skowron, Richardson, Kubek, Boyer (1959-61)
7) Chamblis, Randolph, Dent, Nettles (1977-1978)
1921
4th?) Pipp, Ward, Peckinpaugh, Baker
The above is a quick eyeball list, certainly open to debate. But I think we are now blessed to be watching the greatest Yankee infield ever assembled.
Cano has a magical smile…………..
Good point Cano made about Boras. Many fans only think of him as an agent to negotiate a contract. There’s no question he does that and he’s as good as anyone. But his company offers so much more to ballplayers as Cano noted. They have an incredible facility and substantial resources – from workouts to nutrition, to psychological sports counseling and so much more.
I also love watching him play D………
Well, looks like Melo is going to the Nets as Denver is insisting on the Knicks including Mozgov. I say screw Denver – what’s next, partial ownership of MSG? If Melo really needs his $$$, then let him sign there….
I’m a huge Jeter and Mo fan. But I really admire love Hughes and Cano among the new crop of Yankee stars. I would have to say they are my favorites in that club.
Betsy was that announced?
“It was a fantastic meeting, trust me. No words, live music, excellent atmosphere. We looked into each other’s eyes. Just real man talk.” -Prokhorov
Actually, the last couple of editions of the infield have been quite terrific even if Arod, Derek , and Tex had some injuries. They are 4 super players.
LGY February 20th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
“It was a fantastic meeting, trust me. No words, live music, excellent atmosphere. We looked into each other’s eyes. Just real man talk.” -Prokhorov
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Sounds like they spent too much time together on Brokeback Mountain.
The Nuggets are so greedy. Who knows if they want Mozgov or not but man they really are being punks in this whole thing.
West Coast
I too like Hughes and Cano, I also really like Gardner. Something about homegrown players, and good ones too, no one can say that the Yankees buy all the best players if they continue to give their homegrown kids a chance.
WC, I’ve been following on twitter for weeks now. The trade hasn’t been announced yet, but unless the Knicks completely cave (they’d already said enough was enough), Melo will be going to NJ. At least I’ll be able to move on from this soap opera.
Melo won’t sign in Jersey.
Odds, the Knicks will get ripped apart for allowing Mozgov to hold up the deal, but that’s blatantly unfair. They have offered up their whole team, practically, but at some point enough is enough. We get that Denver does not want to deal with NY and that they adore NJ’s assets……….I’m annoyed at Denver, but really annoyed at Melo for not using his leverage. Still, if he wants his $$$, he can have it.
I just think Melo wants to be a Knick more than anything.
i dont see melo signing the extension to play for the lowly nets, no matter what he says.
tyanksfan36 – our homegrown crop looks really good right about now with Montero and the B’s.
Who the hell is Mozgov?
Gardner and Hughes are my favorite young’uns
Why would Melo agree to the extension?
See but Melo is in a tough spot. He wants to come to NY but from what ppl have said if he comes out and says it then he’ll get reprimanded. Who knows if it’s true or not but that’s what ppl have said.
I thought only the Yankees were asked to adhere to outrageous prices. Don’t they realize every single time they change their mind it only makes them look worse. If you’re another team you would have to seriously wonder if it’s worth dealing with them. I think DEN is trying their best to make Melo and the Knicks crack.
Why? Because he wants guaranteed $$. With a probably lockout and new CB agreement, he could stand to lose quite a bit of $$$. If I’m wrong and he goes FA, I’ll admit it – and I’d be glad to do it.
# West Coast Yankee Fan February 20th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Why would Melo agree to the extension?
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Because he doesn’t want to stay in DEN. The CBA plays such a big role in this whole thing. He wants out of DEN badly and the fans have turned on him.
Reprimanded by whom?
Just found the link. Reprimanded by Lala.
# m February 20th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Reprimanded by whom?
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I’m guessing the league.
Nets won’t trade for him without the extension.
If Melo would sign in NJ why isn’t he there already?
He won’t be reprimanded, he just didn’t want to say anything out of courtesty to the Nets (which is fine) . However, the deal to NJ is going to be completed regardless, so he is going to have to say out loud either that he won’t sign or that he will. Whether MP still goes through with the deal if Melo says he won’t sign is still to be determined.. I’ll bet he does. I’d love to see the Knicks just pull out now, but Melo had to be convinced by Dolan (for some reason) that the Knicks really wanted him. If they pull out, the kid is going to think (not logically, but who can really get into his head) that the Knicks didn’t want him even though it was Denver who didn’t want to deal him to NY
Nuggs know Dolan is an idiot. Have nothing to lose to try to keep milking him.
# LGY February 20th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Nets won’t trade for him without the extension.
If Melo would sign in NJ why isn’t he there already?
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He doesn’t want to be in NJ but DEN might be forcing his hand. If it gets to crunch time they might say we aren’t trading you to the Knicks so you can either stay here, get booed and maybe even franchise tagged under the new CBA or go to NJ, get the extension, and be close to home.
I think you’re right Betsy. There is too much for him to lose by waiting on FA and the new CBA as opposed to locking in big bucks now.
Obviously he was waiting to see if something could be worked out with the Knicks, but obviously that is not going to happen, so now Melo either signs with NJ, signs with Denver or becomes a FA (doubtful). From all reports, he’s either really dumb or naive (I mean, seriously – he didn’t know that the Knicks wanted him) and so the speculation that he might go FA and hold it against NY that he lost all that money is, to me, probably spot on.
I think the Knicks are being stupid. If you can get Melo and pair him with Amare you do it. You can always fill out a roster with FA’s.
WC, IMO he’s foolish to go where he doesn’t want to go – it’s not like he’s going to be a poor man. I think he’s making the wrong decision, but it’s not up to me. There are reports out there that indicate he wouldn’t lose as much $$$ as he thinks. Lebron and Bosch took less to go to Miami; if Melo signs with a team he doesn’t want to be with because of $$, then ok – so be it. I can’t be upset with my team, who have done their level best to work out a deal.
Dolan either caves and gives Moz (probably what happens) or Melo says no thanks to NJ and Denver takes NY package over nothing.
WC, completely disagree. They’ve already offered up their whole team……..and Denver still keeps asking for more. Denver does not want to deal Melo to NY. As others have said, Melo is not Lebron and he’s certainly no Kareem. If he really wants to be here, he will forgo that $$$ (not that he won’t make any, seriously) and sign with a full team in 2011, a team that would be very good. IMO, this is all on Melo.
The last time Melo chose money he got burned
” He’s the Captain, the team’s leader off the field and arguably the most interesting player on the field all-time status and career-low numbers. ”
This sentence makes no sense .
Or Melo takes the $$ and signs with NJ……….
Odds, what are you referring to?
If I made as much in my career as Melo already has, I wait to play for the team I want to play. It’s not like he’s going to make league minimum. If he truly doesn’t care, then yeah go for the guaranteed $$. But I think he wants to play for the Knicks.
Why do you say they don’t want to deal with the Knicks, Betsy?
M, he does, but from all indications, he wants that extension.
because they already worked out the deal they wanted with jersey.
M, it’s been obvious from the start. Denver doesn’t want to give Melo what he wants – a trade to NY (understandably they were put out by Paul’s toast at Melo’s wedding). For months they refused to talk to the Knicks; the only reason they recently did so is because they almost had no choice………until they called the Nets and got the Nets back into it.
No, you keep saying the Nugs don’t want to send him to the Knicks.
I presume that Melo wanted to talk to Dolan to ask him: “If I don’t sign extension and there is a new CBA in place, what will you do to protect me from losing $$? What will you guarantee me to make me whole?”
He already knows Knicks want him….the more important question is will they pay him what Nets will if he goes FA?
# Betsy February 20th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Odds, what are you referring to?
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A few yrs ago his rookie contract was up. So was the contract of Wade, Lebron, and Bosh. Those 3 took shorter deals in order to become free agents in the summer. Melo chose a longer deal(I think it was 1 yr longer than the big 3) because “Where I’m from you don’t turn down 80 million dollars”
Mmm. My guess is that they want it to blow up in their face. I don’t think you would spite your franchise player and pass up what would probably be a decent haul?
The latest tweet take it with a grain of salt like everything else
Chris_Broussard Chris Broussard
Sources say Den has not given NYK ultimatum that if Mozgov’s not in deal, they’ll trade him to NJ
If Nuggets insist on Moz, you know Jimmy D will add him to the package.
LOL Now Broussard/ESPN is tweeting that sources are saying that DEN has not issued that ultimatum…………I need an aspirin and maybe a V-8
M, that’s right, I don’t think they do.
# m February 20th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Mmm. My guess is that they want it to blow up in their face. I don’t think you would spite your franchise player and pass up what would probably be a decent haul?
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The GM is going crazy for all these picks in the NJ Net deal. From what everyone has said the draft is weak this yr and 2-3 of the other picks are in the late 1st to early 2nd round. Do the Nuggets think this is the NFL.
The Nuggets would rather draft unknown prospects instead of getting NBA players that are already in the league
Odds, thanks!
M, they like the Nets’ package much better apparently.
Bojo, word is that Melo requested the meeting because he wasn’t convinced the Knicks really wanted him. I think it’s ridiculous, but that’s him. The Knicks would pay him, but they can’t compensate for maybe $20 million given cap restraint – and they would still want to go after Paul in 2012
I disagree Betsy. The Knicks have sucked forever. You can get two superstars and build from there. It’s NY. What good is it if the Knicks keep those guys – they aren’t winning with this team. You go for it. If I’m Dolan I make the decision.
That’s the thing M it’s more than a decent haul. The oldest player they get in the Knick deal is a 26 yrs old pg who was a border all-star this yr.
YW Betsy see Melo could have avoided this if he just signed a shorter deal. Lol this is all his fault
26 yr*
this quote from Prokorov is really……………..something:
“It was a fantastic meeting, trust me. No words, live music, excellent atmosphere. We looked into each other’s eyes. Just real man talk. ”
I wonder if they played romantic music as well.
Bottom line IMO when you get a chance to get a player like Carmelo Anthony you jump all over it. Stars win playoff series in the NBA.
WC, in part it’s the principal – when is enough enough? When will it end? At some point you have to draw the line….
Odds, lol………….
WC, they have jumped all over it, but you’re not giving Denver enough blame for how they’ve handled this……….
And now we have this tweet SMH
STEIN_LINE_HQ Marc Stein
DEN definitely wants Mozgov. Knicks definitely DON’T want to include Mozgov. But ultimatums three days before deadline too easily tuned out
And this is another problem so much information you don’t know what’s real or fake.
Think about it, Melo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ihHtZzM78c
Stein was the man before, but I think Broussard passed him thus summer.
# m February 20th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Stein was the man before, but I think Broussard passed him thus summer.
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yea but Broussard has been off a couple of times too.
Funny…I thought this was a baseball blog.
j/k
Good night everyone
These guys all have different sources, lol.
It seems like since the Lebron fiasco misinformation is running rampant.
SAS says:
February 20, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Funny…I thought this was a baseball blog.
j/k
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Haha, I thought the same thing, they’ve been talking about people I’ve never heard of before so clearly there has been no baseball talk going on for a while. Here is something baseball related. Did you know Joe Mauer’s older brother is the manager of the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins high A club in the FSL? Pretty cool.
Besty sure – at some point enough is enough but I don’t think they are there. I don’t blame Denver – they just are trying to get the most they can.
It’s a good soap opera though isn’t it?
WC, not really, lol………it was fun for awhile, but now I’m drained to the point of almost (not quite) not caring.
Night!
Hey Pat M!
Guitteriez……Great game Nick in SF……My concerns from the other night were right on….Had UCLA as a pick em ……..The over / unders for this upcoming season are out, refer to Vegaswatch.com……..I’ll be asking for your best 5 later when the exhibition season wears down….SF Giants get no respect as they’re at 88.5…….
Watched olney’s report. It’s all about managing expectations for Tito. Tito feels bullpen additions are really going to help them. View Yankees as a threat made playoffs 15 out of last 16 seasons. Tito responded to Tex & Cash’s underdog remarks with his payroll quip.
And we have our biggest loser. Sandoval of the Giants lost a whopping 38 lbs. (he still looks like that panda)
Pat M, Guitteriez is really amazing, and having Crabbe back was a big help, if only to attract some attention and open things up for the others. I had Cal +2, I went on tilt a little after losing a few too many shekels on Arsenal FC this morning when they failed to beat Leyton Orient, who play two leagues lower. Grrrrrr.
But Cal sort of made up for it.
A Win tonight at Haas Pavilion would have just about punched UCLA’S ticket to the big dance, March Madness,,,,Hopefully they don’t drop out of the top 40……19-8 just doesn’t have the glow that 20-7 has……Staples was quite a scene tonight, fancy and famous people trying to be fancy……..I was comp’ed great seats five rows up from the scorer’s table……Good nite & Good Morning Morning people……….Today we get live BP, YEAH
Good morning morning people, what a fun day yesterday was. Today is going to be long and stressful a least this morning. I have my first observation in my internship. I’m not doing anything new but being observed and graded is not fun. Hopefully the kids are good for me.
good luck tyanks
I am sure you will be fine!
Looks like Liriano is having shoulder problems and Webb is already having setbacks for Texas……and Cliff Lee has had a sore lat.
Blake
I guess Cash is a genius!
Good morning, morning people.
blake -
Hasn’t Cliff Lee started off the last two seasons with some kind of soreness, and didn’t he sit out the first part of last season? Or am I mis-remembering?
I can’t believe that there were times in the past when I wanted to wring Robby’s neck for his seemingly nonchalant attitude. He’s really matured and developed into a terrific young player.
And who can resist that smile?
And oh, before I have to run, let me add a note to Chad — thanks for the sterling ST coverage. It’s been GREAT!!
Doreen,
Nah he missed the start of 2010 with his back I know. The Phillies are saying he’s fine now though but still its gotta be at least a little bit concerning that he keeps having these issues.
Doesn’t sound like Webb will be ready for opening day…….they are saying he still needs to build arm strength which is what they were saying last year……translation: he’s probably throwing 84 MPH still.
It’s why I wouldn’t touch Liriano at all until I see if he can hold up physically for more than one year.
Just too much risk with him. Which is why the Twins probably wouldn’t mind moving him.
Webb is never going to be the same again, sadly.
Shoulder surgery is a death knell for many pitchers. They can fix elbows. Shoulders are a much more iffy proposition.
Lee has always has lat issues. Those though are minor in the grand scheme of things.
That’s something he knows how to manage.
SJ,
Apparently they are saying that Liriano’s issues could be related to him not sticking to offseason workout problems……that may just be speculation but still it would be tough to give up top players for him until he shows he can remain healthy for a good length of time.
The fact that Webb still hasn’t regained his arm strength after this amount of time doesn’t bode well I wouldn’t think..