Robinson Cano may become a Mariner after all is said and done. The Yankees have refused to come close to Cano's original $300 million demand. AS of this week, the sides were still more than $100 million a part. But that has not stopped the Yankees from spending the money set aside to re-sign Cano into other workable free agent deals.
The Yanks signed catcher Brian McCann for $85 million/5 years. He was the best catcher on the market; clearly an upgrade at the position.
The Yanks signed outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for $153 million/7 years. He was the second best WAR free agent on the market (just behind Cano); he is upgrade at the CF position.
The Yanks will sign second baseman Kelly Johnson to a $3 million/1 year deal. Johnson does not have the stats of Cano, but he has some power and is a veteran second baseman.
The Yankees have spend $206 million for three starting position players. This seems to make sense to diversify the payroll on three players rather than investing it all into one player, Cano. The Yankees can still add another second baseman, like Omar Infante, to the roster as well.
The Mariners have interest in Cano, but Cano may have only hoped for a second team to get top dollar from the Yankees. At this point in time, the Yankees really don't need to re-sign Cano in order to appease their fan base or local media. The Yankees have spent money this off-season on players, but have decided not to go overboard. I think even NY fans get that; bad long term dead money contracts kill franchises.
Cano winds up losing negotiation leverage as a result of the Ellsbury deal. He is back to one club, Seattle, really interested in his services.
