Robinson Cano's Agent: Contract Talks 'Will Cease' If A Distraction To Yankees Star
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted on WFAN radio Thursday that a "significant" contract extension was offered to second baseman Robinson Cano.
Apparently it wasn't significant enough.
"(Cano) is an exceptional, high-end player who is a season away from free agency," Cashman told WFAN's Mike Francesa. "Right now where that takes him and us remains to be seen. We're not commenting any further than acknowledging that we made a significant offer and had some dialogue with his agent, Scott Boras. But other than that, there's not much really to say."
Brian Cashman
Cashman declined to comment on Boras' response to the offer: "I could (say something), but I'm not going to."
That didn't stop the super agent from speaking out.
"I am not going to talk about how Cashman characterizes things," Boras told the New York Post. "We agreed to listen and talk to them. We want Robinson to play. We will continue our talks."
But he warned that "discussions will cease" if they become a distraction for Cano, who will be a free agent after this season.
"Robinson is focused on preparing for and playing the 2013 season," Boras told WFAN and CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman. "By agreement, discussions shall remain confidential. Also by agreement, discussions will cease if they are a distraction to Robinson's performance and leadership of the 2013 Yankees."
According to Heyman, it's believed Cano wants a deal for 10 years and $200 million-plus. The Yankees, with $114 million over five years still owed to Alex Rodriguez, have a stated goal of getting under the $189 million luxury tax threshold by 2014.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old All-Star is focused solely on baseball -- leaving the money stuff to Boras.
"I already talked about the contract," Cano told Francesa from Yankees camp on Wednesday. "But, you know, my focus right now is all about the 2013 season. … You know what? I just let my agent handle (negotiations), because myself, I don't want to keep talking about the same thing. I just want to keep my mind in the game."
When told fans were worried about losing him, Cano replied, "Well, I mean — still have one more year left, so you gotta produce and win another title."
Robinson Cano
Cano reiterated his stance with reporters Friday.
"I don't want to be like a selfish guy," he said. "I just want to help the team win another championship."
Robinson Cano 3/1
Despite a 3-for-40 stretch during the postseason, Cano had another stellar season at the dish in 2012. The four-time Silver Slugger Award winner batted .313 with 33 homers and 94 RBIs. He posted a .379 on-base percentage and smacked 48 doubles.
What's your gut say on Cano? Will he still be in pinstripes next season? Sound off in the comments...
