the Yankee dilemma

AL BEast Notebook – Feb 19



It’s never too early to think about 2014, even for a Yankees organization that has seemingly been built for “today, now.” Their best player, Robinson Cano is in the last year of his contract and the Scott Boras client is set to be a free agent. Should the Yankees sign him and for how long?

There is no question that Robinson Cano is one of the best players in baseball. In the last three years he has won three straight Silver Slugger Awards (voted best offensive player at his position in the AL) and two Gold Gloves (best defensive). His average over the last four years is basically .315 batting (.360 on base percentage), 30 HR, 100 RBI, 105 R, and 50 doubles and triples; outstanding especially for second base. He is the best Yankee, and especially as the “core” are on their way out, the Yankees could use a new “face of the franchise”; especially one with as contagious smile as Cano.

The better question is how long do you want to pay Cano top dollar ($20M+ per year) and what are you willing to offer?

2012 was a typical year, but Cano performed poorly in “clutch” numbers. He hit just .268 with runners in scoring position, .208 with the bases loaded, and for a slugger who played the whole season in the #3-4 hole for the Yankees, he had a rather meager RBI total (94). Cano had a dismal postseason (.075) that was well documented, and that is what Yankees’ fans and front office cares most about. Despite the smile, he is well-known for not hustling and seems too casual in the field, stark contrasts to the iconic shortstop next to him.



Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman will be wary of a superdeal. In October Robbie turns 31. Joe Mauer and Ryan Howard signed monster contracts to make them a “Lifer” with their respective franchise and just a few years into both they look like terrible moves. A-Rod’s mammoth deal hangs over the Yankees like moldy leftovers that get worse by the day. Other huge contracts (Mark Teixeira, Vernon Wells, Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth to name a few) tend to make situations worse more often than better.

2014 will be a very strange season for the Bronx Bombers. Rivera, Pettitte, Kuroda, Granderson, Youkilis and Hafner will likely be gone. Jeter has an $8M option that he can kick in and I expect him to stay with that. Brett Gardner will likely be re-signed, but it will be no surprise if Phil Hughes goes. A lot is coming off the books but there will also be a lot of holes to fill.

The Yankees would be good to sign Cano for the long haul, but they need to establish limits. They don’t have to be cheap. They should offer and limit it to his 38th birthday, making it a 7 year deal for about $150M. The Yankees have been good about assessing players at that point and taking care of them if they are still performing. A more ideal position would be 6 years, $140M. But if Scott Boras demands 8 years or more than $155M, Hal and Brian better be willing to let him go elsewhere.