Friday morning notes: Cano quiet about contract negotiations
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 01, 2013 
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Robinson Cano didn’t add many details to yesterday’s revelation that the Yankees have extended a contract offer to the second baseman.
“I don’t want to talk about this,” Cano said. “After today, I don’t want to be a distraction to the team. … I’m just going to focus on baseball and I’m not going to let anything get in my head.”
Cano wouldn’t say whether the Yankees offer was rejected or kept on the table. He also deferred to agent Scott Boras when asked whether he would be open to continuing negotiations during the season.
“I’m going to let Scott decide that,” Cano said.
• Michael Pineda threw a 30-pitch bullpen this morning. He threw both fastballs and changeups and gave a big thumbs up afterway in the clubhouse. It was the second time that Pineda threw a 30-pitch bullpen with changeups this spring. Yesterday, Brian Cashman said that the Yankees have been impressed by Pineda’s early work.
• Lefty Cesar Cabral remains on the same rehab schedule as Pineda. He also threw a 30-pitch bullpen with fastballs and changeups. He hasn’t thrown sliders yet, but Cabral said he has no concerns about breaking balls being more difficult on his elbow. “I feel ready to pitch,” he said. Cabral said he expects to be in a game by mid April. Pineda will be a few weeks behind Cabral at that point because Pineda has to be stretched out.
• Still recovering from that sore lower back, David Adams began taking dry swings earlier this week. He said he still has to check with the training staff, but there’s a chance he’ll be allowed to throw and take some light ground balls today. Adams has said for a while that the back is no longer bothering him, but I have to think the Yankees learned a lesson from Austin Romine last spring. That could explain their slow approach to the relatively minor back injuries to Adams and Phil Hughes.
• Kevin Youkilis is back in the Yankees lineup. No word yet on how many at-bats he’ll get. Joe Girardi hinted yesterday that Youkilis might get only one at-bat today and become more of a full player tomorrow.
• Brett Gardner and Slade Heathcott each played yesterday, Melky Mesa is getting a turn in left field today, so Adonis Garcia is scheduled to play today’s entire game in center field.
• Boone Logan will face hitters today. It’s his first sim game of the spring. He’ll pitch to Luke Murton and Ramon Flores.
• Hiroki Kuroda makes his spring debut this afternoon. He’s facing Roy Halladay.
• Today’s sides: Nik Turley and Bryan Mitchell.
• Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Greg Bird, 2B Walter Ibarra, SS Gil Velazquez, 3B Addison Maruszak, LF Ronnier Mustelier, CF none, RF Zoilo Almonte, DH Bobby Wilson
• Today’s scheduled relievers: Dave Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Cody Eppley, Vidal Nuno. Relief prospect Mark Montgomery is listed as a backup, not likely to get in the game but possible.
PHILLIES
Jimmy Rollins SS
Ben Revere CF
Chase Utley 2B
Ryan Howard 1B
Michael Young 3B
Domonic Brown LF
Darin Ruf DH
John Mayberry RF
Steven Lerud C
Associated Press photos
“I’m going to let Scott decide that,” Cano said.
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I can’t even hate him for it lol.
Yankee Trader March 1st, 2013 at 9:30 am
Blake-
Good morning. Are you still on board? I liked your lineup suggestion. The only concern I have is Teixeira followed by Hafner vs righties. After watching “The Shift” used against them in ST, especially vs Hafner with a short RF’er[2nd baseman], throwing him out at first from RF. I’m concerned that if they will not try to hit the other way that both will frequently end rallies with inning ending DP’s.
As I mentioned before the two teams in order that used the shift most often last year are the Rays and Orioles, so that will account for approximately close to 25% of all games that the Yankees will face a shift.
Of course you need the pitchers to locate the pitch to maximize the chance the batter will hit into the shift.
I’m beginning to think that the best batters the Yankees have that can hit it with regularity, the other way are Gardner, Ichiro, Jeter and Cano.
Your thoughts? Anyone
What about a line up of:
Gardner
Ichiro
Jeter
Cano
Texiera
Hafner
Youk
Cervelli
Almonte
I don’t think Joe will bat Jeter in the 3 hole, he’ll probably keep Gardner or Ichiro at the bottom of the line up, but I think Trader is right and those three will be the guys getting on base the most consistently.
Did you guys see this?? They’re saying ‘sink hole’ I’m saying ‘have you seen Tremors?!’
@Gawker
Sleeping man swallowed alive when 100-foot sinkhole opens beneath his bedroom http://gaw.kr/YZbyIrL
Another guy who has been impressive so far is Kyle Roller. Hasn’t had many hits, but I like his approach at the plate. Just got under one there in the 9th inning or would have had a game winning homer. Really battled up there at bat. He’s got huge arms, projects to have some good power. Where does he start this year? Tampa or Trenton?
The only good thing about the $189 is it would keep them from overpaying a regressng player on the downside of 30. So much for that. To think the team is now left with 1 yr deals for aging stars after this offseason because of the $189 and now they’re willing to break it for another excessive contract. Disappointing. 6/$117 or trade him for a cost-controlled bat and infield help.
On the upside, the crop of young OFers is exciting to watch and look forward to. And I think we see one vet (Rivera) and either Almonte/Mesa to stand in while Granderdon is down.
I don’t think Joe will bat Jeter in the 3 hole, he’ll probably keep Gardner or Ichiro at the bottom of the line up, but I think Trader is right and those three will be the guys getting on base the most consistently.
_____________________________________
I worry about Jeter in the 2 hole becuase he hits into alot of DPs. If Gardner or Ichiro leads off and gets on then they have to run alot to stay out of DPs, and Jeter has always been a good hit and run guy
Sweeny says: @YankeesWFAN
My opinion: We are very quickly reaching the day where Boras/Yanks halt Cano negotiations until after the season.
Tackle – Those were my thoughts exactly.. you can avoid the DP with more speed on the bases. I bet he makes the line up like this, though:
Gardner/Ichiro
Jeter
Tex
Cano
Youk/Hafner
Hafner/Youk
Cervelli
Almonte/Diaz/Rivera
Gardner/Ichiro
“Good morning. Are you still on board? I liked your lineup suggestion. The only concern I have is Teixeira followed by Hafner vs righties. After watching “The Shift” used against them in ST, especially vs Hafner with a short RF’er[2nd baseman], throwing him out at first from RF. I’m concerned that if they will not try to hit the other way that both will frequently end rallies with inning ending DP’s.”
yea that’s a bit of a concern….of course if you shift it makes it hard to turn double plays.
Ken Rosenthal ?@Ken_Rosenthal
California Sports Management says it now reps Guerrero. Willingness to accept minor-league deal should help. #Yankees not interested.
on a minor league deal why the heck not……
blake March 1st, 2013 at 9:44 am
Ken Rosenthal ?@Ken_Rosenthal
California Sports Management says it now reps Guerrero. Willingness to accept minor-league deal should help. #Yankees not interested.
on a minor league deal why the heck not……
——————
Because we already have Rivera and Diaz on minor league deals lol. (Or is it just one that’s on a minor league deal? I forget..)
Vlad might can actually hit……maybe he took some roids and can be good for awhile….I’d bring him to camp at least
Smartchoices-
Agree. Boras is located n LA. If you are Robinson Cano, and Scott Boras is your agent, and you know that the Yankees are losing some 10-12 regulars to FA after this season, and that the FO has only given some “lip” service to maybe going over the 189M[ really it's more like 177M-to account for the projected costs of player benefits], then why sign an extension when there are now many teams that are increasing ticket sales and the FA market after this season is weak, making Cano the premier FA on the market?
Only two things that would crush the chance at a major payday by not signing an extension:
Drugs
Major Injury.
Thoughts?
Mike Axisa ?@mikeaxisa
Wrote this. RT @EyeOnBaseball The Yankees are vulnerable in 2013, but age only tells part of the story http://cbsprt.co/VSyP9b via @cbssports
Full quote from Robbie: ““I’m just going to say the same thing that I said the other day. I’m just focusing on playing baseball. I’m going to let Scott and the Yankees discuss that. I’m not an agent, so I’m just going to focus on playing baseball.
“I’m going to say it again: I don’t want to talk about this. I hope after today, I don’t want to be a distraction to the team. I just want to come here, enjoy the team and focus on playing baseball.””
Bob Nightengale ?@BNightengale
The #Dodgers believe they can build dynasty, and with money no problem, Robinson Cano fits in perfectly. http://usat.ly/YaoULS
blake March 1st, 2013 at 9:56 am
Bob Nightengale ?@BNightengale
The #Dodgers believe they can build dynasty, and with money no problem, Robinson Cano fits in perfectly. http://usat.ly/YaoULS
———————-
I f*cking hate the Dodgers.
Jon Heyman ?@JonHeymanCBS
reality: teams dont announce they made “significant” offer unless they know theres no deal anywhere close. #yankees #cano
see fans…..we tried!
This is why Gardner should bat leadoff:
“For all of Gardner’s solid outfield play, where his speed allows him to cover huge chunks of real estate, his greatest asset could be his patience in the batter’s box. Over his five-year career, according to FanGraphs.com, Gardner has swung at only 33.8 percent of the pitches thrown to him. Consider that Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer had the lowest swing rate in the major leagues last season, at 35.4 percent.”
“Of course, taking pitches — and make no mistake, Gardner takes many — is only one piece of the puzzle. More important, when Gardner decides to swing, he makes contact 90.4 percent of the time. Last season, only seven players in baseball had higher rates of contact. His patience and precision make for a rare combination in a league of free swingers.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02......html?_r=0
He has averaged 4.3 pitches/plate appearance. If he utilizes the bunt more often he should get his BA up. Needs to stay healthy.
blake March 1st, 2013 at 9:58 am
Jon Heyman ?@JonHeymanCBS
reality: teams dont announce they made “significant” offer unless they know theres no deal anywhere close. #yankees #cano
see fans…..we tried!
——————-
Lol, yeah everyone should at least be somewhat skeptical based on the fact that they went out of their way to make it public.
@YankeeSource
@sportsJC16 @TarYank6 I think people forget that Cano might also realize that he is far more marketable here in NY than with any other team.
——————
This is an interesting point.. but he and SJ are sort of making the Dodgers sound like a mom and pop… if they start winning, they’re just as marketable in the US as the Yankees, IMO.
Cashman has gotta be the dumbest GM in MLB. First, he steps all over Hal by blabbering about the Cano negotiations, and then, (once again), devalues Any trade value that Nunez has, by saying the guy is “Not an offensive juggernaut”, and “he just does does not profile” as an offensive player. Cashman is still smarting from having demoted Nunez, and then watching him be the Only Yankee with a bat that mattered vs Detroit in the ALCS. Hal has “F Trooped” him, as evidenced by Cashman’s impotence at the Winter Meetings. Still, Cashman continues spouting off at any and every opportunity, in a vein public attempt to portray his retaining some sort of relevance in Yankee Land. Not only is this type of conduct pathetic and embarassing, but when Cashman down-grades a player like Nunez, he is affecting that player’s performance on the field, and the value of said player on the trade market. Maybe Cashman wants out of his Front Office straight jacket, and is popping off in order to get Hal to pull-the-plug. It really does Not matter what Cashman’s motivation is. Cashman is doing damage to the Yankees.
blake March 1st, 2013 at 9:51 am
Mike Axisa ?@mikeaxisa
Wrote this. RT @EyeOnBaseball The Yankees are vulnerable in 2013, but age only tells part of the story http://cbsprt.co/VSyP9b via @cbssports
Blake- Thanks. This is a very well done read and you should post this later so everone will have a chance to read it.
Conclusion below:
“The Yankees are at risk this summer because they have several important players — hard to fine three more important players than the starting shortstop, ace left-hander and closer, no? — coming off injury while their key offseason imports represent offensive downgrades from their predecessors. All of those problems are compounded by a general lack of depth and uncertainty regarding the ability to take on payroll. New York painted itself into this corner by willfully downgrading the offense to satisfy their self-imposed payroll cap, leaving them vulnerable in key spots. They’re still a very dangerous team capable of winning the AL East, but the cracks in the dam are growing larger by the day.”
@KenDavidoff
Andy Pettitte’s outlook has changed dramatically since his 2011 “retirement.” #Yankees http://bit.ly/ZPU2Er
Trader,
yes good piece…
Shame,
as I said yesterday….I think the one thing we don’t consider is if Cano really wants to stay….if he does then the Yanks will offer him enough to facilitate that. If he wants absolute top dollar the he’s probably going to LA…….
but Cano has a legit chance to be in the conversation as the greatest 2B ever…..and which stadium is best going to help him get there? Dodger stadium isn’t an easy place to hit….it’s a pitchers park…..legacy wise the Yankees are a better place for him because it’s one team and because the park is better…..I don’t know if those things matter to him….
Goodbye for now.
Per my posts above:
Gardner should bat leadoff.-link
Cano will test FA and Boras will have many teams bidding for his services.
Blake’s link to the Mike Axisa article is a very good read.
Have a great day everyone.
Until later.
The smartest thing to do is let the dodgers sign cano for 10/250,and contribute to their demise.
You don’t build great teams by signing 30/31 year old players to long contracts.
They might be great in the short term,but contracts like that hurts teams more than it helps.
My feeling is that if Boras and Cano think the Yanks are in the ball park of what he could get on the open market then they might take the deal a year early…..because they should…..but I think the Yanks will at least need to be in the 8/200 range to do a deal…..
like I said if the Yanks did make a legit offer it was probably 6 years and Boras is probably at 10……if the Yanks will go to 8 now then they may take it…..I don’t know if they would or even if they should though…..the answer to that question really depends on how strict this budget will be going forward and only Hal knows the answer to that.
I don’t know if those things matter to him….
————————
We also don’t know how he view’s the future of the Yankees. Looking at the Dodgers line up and their willingness to spend….. I dunno, he might feel like he has a better chance to win there (assuming that matters to him).
views*
If the Dodgers want to sign Cano to a 200+ mil deal, they can have him.
Does Cano want to be the center piece of the Yankees…..or just another player on the Dodgers?
This “concept” negotiating is pure BS. The Yanks just do Not want to admit that they Will negotiate with\sign certain players during their current contract, and other players they will Not. After the angst created with the current A-Rod contract, the Yanks would be Crazy to sign Cano for 7yrs or longer. Of course, there is always the possibility that should the Yanks Not sign Cano, Hal would just take the $$$ saved and jam it into his bell bottoms. I’ll take that chance.
Hope to see a good bit of Sanchez behind the plate today
blake March 1st, 2013 at 10:21 am
Does Cano want to be the center piece of the Yankees…..or just another player on the Dodgers?
———————
That reads two ways… one of the pluses of playing for the Yankees in the past was that no one guy had to be the center piece… he might feel he’ll blend more on the Dodgers given all of their big money guys.
Ken Rosenthal ?@Ken_Rosenthal
The fans have voted on #MLBNHotStove: The face of MLB is . . . Joey Votto! #Reds #JoeyVotto
this is very surprising to me
“That reads two ways… one of the pluses of playing for the Yankees in the past was that no one guy had to be the center piece… he might feel he’ll blend more on the Dodgers given all of their big money guys.”
does he want to blend in though or be the man on the Yankees?
YT-
“Only two things that would crush the chance at a major payday by not signing an extension:
Drugs
Major Injury.”
The drugs thing is always a question, but I’d like to think Cano’s a smart guy. You can’t really read anything into it, but Cano did make that gesture to distance himself from Cabrera at the All Star game last year.
There were some comments that the Yankees are only saying this to give themselves cover for when they let Cano go, but I think they intend to do whatever it takes to keep him because Cano’s all they got for a new ‘face of the franchise’ and they have a history of excessive contracts. There is the distant hope that other teams will be smarter about the money for over 30s and not drive his FA price up, but there’s always a team – look at the LAA and Hamilton. Fair chance they’ll regret that.
Plus, look at how guys like Tex are being categorize now lol.. the fans/the media are hating on him because of the big money deal. Arod’s been booed regularly for most of his tenure.
No way a guy that shrinks from being the “center piece”, can be the next “face of the franchise”. Once Jeet went down vs Detroit, Cano received a battlefield commission and became that center piece. We know how that ended.
Shame-
“Sleeping man swallowed alive when 100-foot sinkhole opens beneath his bedroom ”
Sure that wasn’t A-Rod ?
He probably feels that way sometimes.
You mean Cano didn’t sign a contract extension this morning
He is going to make it hurt and make it hurt bad. Book that!
Uh, what organization has created a “dynasty” by signing a 30+ year old player to a mega deal? Good luck with that.
blake March 1st, 2013 at 10:37 am
“That reads two ways… one of the pluses of playing for the Yankees in the past was that no one guy had to be the center piece… he might feel he’ll blend more on the Dodgers given all of their big money guys.”
does he want to blend in though or be the man on the Yankees?
———————-
Being ‘the man’ on the Yankees isn’t usually an enviable position to be in. Especially with the future of the team being a bit up in the air. Cano might be thinking ‘for me to get my money, they’re going to not spend in other areas’ – if he goes to the Dodgers he knows they’ll spend even after giving him $250.
All that Robinson Cano has ever known are the NYY’s.
Things being equal, or close to equal, I’d imagine he’d love to remain a Yankee for life.
That said, If they are not, he’s gone. Boras will see to it that the Yankees pony up. He’ll set up a competition for Cano’s services.
I learned a while ago that in 99% of cases it’s all about the money despite protestations to the contrary.
Greinke was honest. Show me the money.
RadioKev March 1st, 2013 at 10:47 am
Uh, what organization has created a “dynasty” by signing a 30+ year old player to a mega deal? Good luck with that.
——————
Lol, a team that might buy a 26 year old Andrus. The Dodgers might not spend smartly but they’re going to eat whatever money they have to.. they won’t let big dollar contracts stop them from signing more big dollar contracts. Even if they lose their overhead is absurd.
If the Yankees have made what they call a “substantial offer”, I would believe it would be in the 20-22mm. dollar range for 5 years when Cano would be 35.
Given the Boras strategy to always set up a bidding war the Yankees should absolutely consider quietly shopping him around the all Star break.
Their return would be tremendous and should be headed by a MLB ready third baseman, pitching and yes, catching! Getting draft choices with at least 3 year major league windows if ever is ridiculous.
This is why Cashman should have been looking to trade Cano in the winter. I know it’s hard to believe that a ballclub like the Yankees would ever consider trading their star player but another mega-deal for a 30-year-old player just doesn’t fit with our DNA right now. We have so many needs in so many areas (for 2014 and beyond), we need to spread that kind of money across a number of players.
I can envisage a scenario where Cano’s value actually drops during the course of the season. if the Yanks stink (and that’s a real possibility given the age of their lineup) he might well lose interest and not put up his normal numbers. You could argue that would work in the Yanks’ favor as maybe he won’t be so appealing to teams like the Dodgers. Either way, we can’t be held to ransom by El Bandito Boras…again.
The Yankees are not trading Cano
The only way the Yanks COULD trade Cano at this point would be a scenario where they really tanked big time in the first half and were virtually out of it prior to the trade deadline. The Yanks would be in a position to have a major yard sale with all of their short term deals if that scenario happened to occur. Doubt that happens though unless there are major injuries.
A significant offer to Boras is $200m. If the Yanks aren’t close to that amount then Boras probably sees it as a waste of time to talk to them. I really doubt the Yankees are anywhere close to that number. Like Sherman said Hal announcing that they talked about a significant offer is just for the fans to hear. Cano is getting $200m. If the Yanks aren’t offering that then he is out the door. The Yanks offer was probably $50m below that.
Casey Stern ?@CaseyStern
After talking to Mike Trout,weight gain conversation is laughable. up three lbs from the close of last yr.. #beast #Angels @MLBNetworkRadio
“A significant offer to Boras is $200m. If the Yanks aren’t close to that amount then Boras probably sees it as a waste of time to talk to them. I really doubt the Yankees are anywhere close to that number. Like Sherman said Hal announcing that they talked about a significant offer is just for the fans to hear. Cano is getting $200m. If the Yanks aren’t offering that then he is out the door. The Yanks offer was probably $50m below that.”
probably offered 6/140 or something…..8/200 would probably get a deal done now
Mark Feinsand ?@FeinsandNYDN
Phil Hughes said his program may be moved up two days since his back is responding well, which means he could begin throwing on Sunday.
hoorah
8/200 would probably get a deal done now
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Agree. On the open market he might get 9/$225m. You can guarantee that the Dodgers plus the Mariners and Nationals are going to take this to an area that the Yanks aren’t comfortable going. I really think it’s now or never if he is going to remain a Yankee. But it doesn’t seem like Hal is willing to really negotiate now.
sign cano. they have the money and they have nobody who can replace him in the order. and they wont be overpaying him til after arod, tex and cc are done.
i wanted them to trade him this offseason, but that ship has sailed. they won’t be out of it by the trade deadline, so trading him then is out of the question. and you cant let him walk away.
so sign him already.
and cano’s price is going to go even higher after he wins the MVP this year.
Ken Gurnick ?@kengurnick
Carl Crawford is down for a week after a setback with his repaired elbow. Don Mattingly said Opening Day is a “challenge.”
Cano for Kemp!
Which signing was worse? Teixeira, Adrian Gonzalez, or Crawford? Think about it.
I would say Crawford
Ys Guy March 1st, 2013 at 11:22 am
and cano’s price is going to go even higher after he wins the MVP this year.
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Uh, let’s see him post 30 HR and 100 RBI, A-Rod’s numbers in his five-month 2009, first.
Cano is too old to give more than four years to.
Four years at $25M a year for $100M total would give Cano the second-biggest contract for a homegrown Yankee. It’s only $89M less than what Jeter got for a decade. He’d make more than what Sabathia, who is more valuable to the Yankees than he is, will make 2013-16. It would also be more than what Teixiera will make 2013-16 ($100M vs. Teixiera’s $90M for 2013-16) and what A-Rod would make 2013-16 or 2014-17 ($100M vs. A-Rod’s $94M for 2013-16, or $86M for 2014-17.)
If that’s not enough for Cano, a player who has never posted 30 HR and 100 RBI in a season, won a batting title, regular season or postseason MVP Award, or significant award outside of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger (since he wasn’t the 2005 AL Rookie Of The Year), the Yanks should trade him to get something out of him. Gold Glove and Sliver Slugger awards are nice butit’s about time he posts a 2012 Miguel Cabrera-type season (Triple Crown or no Triple Crown.) He has the talent to have that breakout year but it hasn’t come yet after seven tries after his 2005 AL Rookie Of The Year runnerup performance.
Might I remind all you “lock him up through age 38/39/40/41″ idiots that he has to have a no-trade clause in only his first year under new contract in 2014 as he becomes a ten-and-five player who could veto a trade after 2014. If the Yanks lock him up and he turns to 2008 crap or is closer to that than his rest of career excellence, they are literally stuck with him for another 7 to 9 years.
Bottom line is the Yanks can’t afford another albatross contract like A-Rod or a potential one like Teixiera if he turns out a 2012-like 2013-14 (I’d even say he’s officially an albatross if he repeats or doesn’t equal his 2012 in 2013.)