There's no question that Cano is looking to cash in with Jay Z as his new hands-on agent and staying in pinstripes is a top priority, but the N.Y. Post is reporting that the rap mogul had a secret meeting Monday night shopping the All-Star to the rival Mets.
The hip-hop impresario joined Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant general manager John Ricco for dinner at a posh Manhattan hotel to discuss Cano’s free agency, two sources familiar with the situation told The Post. Cano’s group, which also featured agents Brodie Van Wagenen and Juan Perez, initiated the meeting; Cano himself didn’t attend.
While Alderson stated last week to say he couldn’t envision the Mets taking on another player with a contract as big as Cano's projected deal, that doesn't mean he can't kick the tires of the best free agent on the market.
Cano's reps asked the Yankees for a 10-year, $310 million contract, and the Yankees countered with a seven-year offer for between $161 and $168 million. Those are expensive Michelins.
The Yankees have not held extensive talks with Cano’s representatives since free agency began, and they’re unlikely to be shaken by this meeting, given the Mets’ stated salary-commitment intentions and their payroll-slashing of the last three years. Besides, the Mets have a capable second baseman in Daniel Murphy. Not that the tradable Murphy would stand in the Mets' way of getting a player of Cano's caliber.
Cano going to the Mets is definitely a long shot. But the Mets simply had little to lose by agreeing to this meeting. And, in fact, will probably get a little respect from their fans in doing so.
Jay Z has made it clear his representation of Cano is about marketing as well as baseball, and staying in New York with the Mets would give still Cano as many marketing opportunities as he had with the Yankees — maybe more.
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