The saga of the best free agent this off-season is almost operatic in its current twists and turns.
Robinson Cano dropped his baseball agent for a celebrity-rapper turned agent, Jay-Z. One would think that a superstar player changes an agent because the new agent will be able to provide better counsel and a bigger contract.
Well, things have not gone well, according to media reports.
The new Cano camp went to the Yankees and demanded a $310 million deal. The Yankees went on their business to spend large dollars on Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, and two free agent infielders. Some writers believe that with the three holes in the Yankees starting rotation to fill, including re-signing starter Hiroki Kuroda for more than $15 million/year, the Yankees have no money to sign Cano. The NY free agent budget has already been allocated to fill needs. The Yankees did make an offer, but it was reported to be at least $150 million less than what Cano demands.
So, there was only one mystery team to play off against the Yankees. It was the Mariners. Apparently, negotiations were getting close, but things soured in a nuclear way, according to today's report at MLBTR:
The Mariners talks with Cano have broken down after Seattle made an offer of nine years and $225MM, two sources told the New York Daily News. The Mariners are no longer in the mix to sign Cano, reports Feinsand. According to the report, Cano and his representatives from CAA and Roc
Nation Sports arrived in Seattle with an eight-year, $200MM offer in
hand from the Mariners and eventually received assurances that the
Mariners would go to nine years and $225MM. However, a late change by
agent Jay-Z in which he once again demanded $252MM over 10 years caused
Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln to "explode," prompting the meeting to end.
It is never a good idea to tick off the man, the CEO of the team, who has to approve spending more than $200 million.
The Yankees have reported offered a $150-160 million package. Based on Ellsbury's contract of $153 million, Cano's "market" value now in a one bidder (Yankee) market is significantly less than $200 million. The Yankees have held firm and have not bid against themselves. One reason is that ownership is demanding that the team be under the $189 million luxury tax threshold. At this point, Cano has priced himself out of even the Yankees budget.
So where does that leave the best free agent in baseball? On the sidelines, in a weak position, with no real options unless another "mystery" team comes to Jay-Z's rescue at the 11th hour. But that seems to be doubtful, as this off-season has been more about teams making trades than signing high-priced free agent veterans.
UPDATE: The Mariners agreed to kick in a 10th year at $15 million to sign Cano to a 10 year/$240 million deal. It is $70 million less than what Cano initially wanted from the Yanks, but about $90 million more than the Yankees were willing to pay. The Mariners overpaid for Cano, who went to Jay-Z to up his non-baseball endorsement appeal. However, being in Seattle as opposed to New York is a significant marketing down grade. Seattle is not a major national television draw, and West Coast games are not relevant on the East Coast.
