Curious to know what people think about the Yankees getting ready to sign Robinson Cano to a long-term deal. Are you surprised they shifted from their normal course? Glad to see it happen? Think it a waste of money?
It sounds like the four-year average (with option amounts TBD) will be about $7.5 million per year, starting out well below that but finishing well above that. I think the Yankees will be saving a good chunk compared to what they might have had to pay Cano through arbitration. The risk is that he goes downhill or gets seriously injured, but career-threatening/ending injuries are not that common with position players, particularly at a young age. Plus, Cano is in a rare category as a "super-two", meaning the top 17% of players, service-time wise, who wind up going to arbitration four times. That last year, there would be very few comps to look at for what he might make salary-wise.
Comments (14)
I love that they are locking him up, but Im a little curious to see the contract structure. Correct me if Im wrong Kat, but I think Robby would not have been eligible for free agency until 2011 or 2012. Unless there is a club option after that time, Im not sure what the Yanks are gaining out of this. His arbitration figure would have been between 4 and 5 million, unless there are two club option years at 7-9 M, Im not sure why the Yanks would initiate this. From Cano's standpoint, I love that he's getting paid and that he can now feel comfortable and confident in his future ( not sure if that is a good thing ). This move does show that the Yanks trust him which is great, but Im still interested to see what the back end of this contract looks like. Do you have any info on that Kat?
Dru,
I just think the Yanks are betting that Cano's future arbitration numbers will be higher than the contract they're giving him. This contract keeps them from going to arbitration every year, which usually leads to bad feelings on the players part. I think this will prove to be a bargain for the Yanks. My only worry is that Cano loses the motivation to stay in shape, but I hope the veterans take care of that if it becomes an issue.
I hear you Jim. I think Arod, Jeter, Posada and Mo will have a huge influence on him. To see a guy like Arod, who has all the talent in the world, working as hard as he does, has to rub off.
Let me be clear, I love that the Yanks are locking him up, I wish they would do that more often. I hated the situation they were in this offseason with Mo and Jorge. Im just interested to see if the Yanks were able to get 2 option years since they are playing the role of the good guys here. In the past I think the Yanks would have milked every year of arbitration, then signed him to a long term deal. Maybe this is a chance of philosophy from the Yankees Brass??? I sure hope so!
I don't think you're actually curious, I just think it's easier for you to ask us a question that than to write real content, which you often do. I'm curious what people think of that?
I agree with DRU. I think we've learned our lesson about waiting until after the season to work on a contract (Mo/Posada).
Cano's a good, young player and I'd rather sign him than loose him through arbitration or free agency and then have to sign the 40 year old "veteran leadership" short term fix.
Now if he could only pitch out of the bullpen too... :)
Mike P. and Dru,
I agree as well, and as Mike points out, why wait until the guy is on the downside of his career and pay him for what he has already done, much like the Yanks are doing with Posada and Mo. I really think the Yanks have changed their thinking and are actually looking at what the Mets did w/ Reyes and Wright and thinking it's not such a bad idea to lock up the good young players.
Unfortunately, Cano can't be a shut-down stud ace in October (hello Johan) or throw from the left side and get Papi, etc out from the bullpen.
I hear you Gene!
From the AP =
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Cano, Yankees Close at $30M for 4 Years
By RONALD BLUM – 16 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees were nearing agreement Thursday on a $30 million, four-year contract, a departure from the team's stance against giving multiyear contracts to young players.
Cano's deal would include two option years, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been finalized.
The 25-year-old second baseman, eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, could become a free agent after the 2012 season.
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So it does look like there are option years involved. NICE!!!!! Cano locked up for the next 6 years at a resonable price? SIGN ME UP! I think Cano is going to win the batting title in that span and may be the Yanks #3 hitter by then. Not a bad deal at all friends!!!
Looks like the H & H brothers are doing some good things. I think Hal is the brains behind the operation here. Hank takes all the spotlight while Hal seems to be on the level with Cashman. Hank just might be the perfect smoke screen for the blood sucking NY media.
I'm all for it, he is an excellent young player. It is either pay me now or pay me (more) later. I hope they lock up Wang too.
Just the sort of guy we want in the clubhouse for years to come. Let him know he is wanted and loved. Sign him up!
Yankees, Cano reach long-term deal
[quote]
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/01/24/heyman.cano/index.html
By Jon Heyman, SI.com
The Yankees and Robinson Cano have reached a preliminary agreement on a contract that will guarantee him $30 million over four years and could pay him about $56 million over six years. Once contract language and a physical are completed, the deal will be done.
The agreement is for $28 million over the next four years, with a $2 million buyout in 2012 and 2013, which would bring him to exactly $30 million. The option for 2012 is for $13 million and the option for 2013 is believed to be for about $15 million.
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Cano had recently requested $4.55 million through arbitration, with the Yankees submitting a $3.2 million figure.
Cano took over as the starting second baseman in 2005 and was an All-Star in 2006. He got off to a slow start in 2007, but rebounded to finish at .306 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs. He then was one of New York's few productive offensive players in the Division Series loss to Cleveland, batting .333 with two home runs.
New York has two other players still eligible for arbitration. Starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang asked for $4.6 million and was offered $4 million; and reliever Brian Bruney requested $845,000 while New York countered at $640,000.
The Yankees have several promising young players not yet eligible for arbitration, a group that includes pitchers Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy.
New York also was nearing completion of a minor league contract with backup infielder Chris Woodward. If added to the major league roster, he would get a one-year deal for $700,000 while in the majors and $120,000 while in the minors.
Woodward hit .199 in 136 at-bats for the Atlanta Braves last year. The nine-year big league veteran could earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses, getting the full amount for 325 plate appearances.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.[/quote]
I'm thrilled about that Chris Woodward signing!
Okay, not so much but I'm desperate for some baseball news.
Put a fork in this place , it's done!