Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees seem to be increasingly far apart in their contract negotiations, and the Seattle Mariners could be emerging as a contender to step in and sign the free agent second baseman.
We told you on Monday that Cano and the Yankees are nearly $100 million apart in negotiations. The Yankees are offering around seven years for $160 million, while Cano wants around $252 million for nine years. The Yankees reportedly will not go over $200 million to sign him.
While the Yankees are taking a harsh stance towards Cano in negotiations, the Mariners could be willing to give him closer to what he wants.
ESPN New York says the Yankees believe the Mariners might be willing to go over $200 million for eight years for Cano. Wallace Matthews quoted a source as saying “it doesn’t look good right now” for the Yankees to re-sign Cano. They put the Yankees’ chances of retaining the All-Star second baseman at “less than 50-50.”
The Mariners have frequently been cited as a team that could be a player in signing free agent hitters, but the rumors turned out to be false, or the Mariners never came through with a deal. They were said to be the runners-up for Josh Hamilton last year, and they have been cited as a possible team for free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
Could this be the time they finally open the vault and bring in a big-time player? I don’t see the Yankees acquiescing on Cano’s wishes for a huge contract. Unless he agrees to sign for less than he wants, he might end up elsewhere.
