The Yankees and free agent Robinson Cano have made no progress in contract talks as Cano remains at $310 million and the Yankees remain at a reported $160 million. In the meantime both parties have started shopping the market for other options.
Although no teams have publicly emerged for Cano, his agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, continues to say that it would be silly to believe there’s no interest in a player of Cano’s magnitude. CBS Sports explains:
Cano is consensus top player in the market. While recognizing as much, the Yankees don’t view Cano as having the same “crossover” appeal as Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez once had. Yankees people will note that the team’s TV ratings were down sharply until Jeter and A-Rod returned late in the year, though many key players were out because of injuries.
The Yankees have been active on the infield front, though it’s unclear whether they have made any progress at second-base. They checked in with the Reds on Brandon Phillips, who appears to be available. They are adding Brendan Ryan for infield insurance and have also been pursuing Stephen Drew and Jhonny Peralta, both of whom could play third base or shortstop, depending on Jeter’s health and what happens with Rodriguez’s Biogenesis suspension hearing.
Drew also could play second base, though it appears they are looking at him more for the left side of the infield.
Cano has been among the elite in MLB for the passed half decade and is on his way to becoming one of the league’s biggest superstars. Although he is continually finding himself atop the WAR ratings, asking for a $310 million dollar contract is a bit excessive, even for him.