The New York Yankees are serious about not giving Robinson Cano an A-Rod style contract and that could open the door for a number of teams to sign the second baseman, including the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers with the M's looking like serious bidders.
Cano and the Yankees met last Tuesday and reports said the two sides were far apart from a dealing both years and money and that had brought out other interested teams, including the Mariners. According to ESPN New York, Wallace Matthews writes that the Mariners are looking to make a big splash in free agency and while general manager Jack Zduriencik did not say the team met with Cano, he added that the franchise has "talked" to everybody and presumably that means Cano as well, who is considered to be the top player on the free agent market.
Cano reportedly wants at least a $250 million contract and with the Yankees not offering more than seven years, it appears that the future for Cano rests on whether he wants money or to be a Yankee for the rest of his career. Sources reported that the Mariners could be willing to go for the years Cano wants and more than $200 million, as they are a stagnating franchise with a rabid fan base that wants a contender badly. The team has young talent and a beautiful ballpark and many think signing Cano would put fans in the seats. The team has been the worst offensively in baseball over the past decade and adding Cano would be a huge signing after the team struck out on Josh Hamilton and had a trade for Justin Upton denied.
Reports have the Mariners putting a three year deal on the table for Carlos Beltran and adding either of those players would be a major upgrade for the team. The report says that the Texas Rangers also could be players for Cano after trading Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder, as they too are flush with cash after a new TV deal. Zduriencik has no choice but to aim high, as he is likely on his last legs as GM unless the team turns around and desperation could be what leads to a deal here.
The Yankees now are "50-50" at keeping Cano according to the report and the team said they may go up to $175 million over seven years, but the team likely will not go farther than that. The Yankees are weary of another big and long term deal and with Cano asking for so much, there is chance that another team could step up and sign him and now the Mariners appear to be setting themselves up as one of those teams.
