Robinson Cano, Yankees far apart on contract extension: Report

For all of those New York Yankees fans who thought signing Robinson Cano to a contract extension was a slam-dunk after the All-Star hired Yankees-loving Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports for representation, think again.

CBS Sports is reporting  that second baseman Robinson Cano and the Yankees are far apart on terms of a contract extension, making it increasingly likely that Cano will head into free agency after the season.

Jon Heyman writes:

They may well talk, but it remains uncertain whether they have anything to talk about — making free agency a very likely outcome for the Yankees’ star second baseman at this point.

That doesn’t mean he won’t end up with the Yankees — word from other players is that the Yankees remain by far and away Cano’s preference, no surprise — it just means there’s a very good chance he won’t have a new deal with anyone until at least November or perhaps later.

While Cano isn't speaking abut contract talks publicly, he is said to have told friends that he'd like somewhere in the neighborhood of $275 million — the very same as the regrettable Alex Rodriguez Yankees contract. The Yankees aren't believed to be interested in going anywhere near those numbers and, in fact, at one point suggested something a lot closer to the contract of crosstown All-Star third baseman, David Wright — who signed his $138 million, eight-year Mets contract last winter with a year to go before free agency.

Cano is earning $15 million this year, the second of two option years that were part of the four-year $30 million contract he signed in February 2008 to avoid arbitration. Most estimates have him earning in the neighborhood of $200 million. He will turn 31 in October, meaning his contract will take him through most of his late-30′s.

Cano says contract is out of his head... except when it's in there

And so the Robinson Cano contract talks begin and, if you ask the second baseman himself, the issue is completely out of his head — except when he's thinking about it.

"I just want to focus on baseball," explained Cano in his own sort of player-speak. "I’m not going to let anything get in my head or distract me or the team, because I don’t want to be like a selfish guy, I want to help the team win a championship."

Asked whether it’s hard to ignore all of the contract talk, Cano replied, "Well, it’s never going to go out of your head. That’s all I can say."

Yogi couldn't have put it any better.

Cano sounded like a well-coached free agent-to-be— or someone who doesn't want to be bothered with what he knows could be a season-long drama. You'll have to figure it out for yourself.

A day after Brian Cashman revealed that the Yankees had made Cano a "significant offer," the Yankees coveted slugger is already dealing with the first of what will be many questions about how the negotiations will affect his play on the field.

  

"I’m gonna say the same thing I said the other day: I’m just focusing on playing baseball," Cano said.

Could these distractions be enough for Cano to consider cutting off the contract discussions during the season?

"I’m not the guy who decides," he replied. "I’m just going to go out there and play, I have one more year on my contract, and I want to help the team win a championship."

Scott Boras has taught you well Mr. Cano.

Yankees have talked to Cano about a 'significant long-term contract'

Are the New York Yankees suddenly caving in to the thought of Robinson Cano bolting the Bronx before the team's best all-around player hits the free agent market after this season.

Cano's agent, Scott Boras, has made it clear that he won't ignore lucrative offers from other clubs but, at the same time, informed the Yankees he won't ignore overtures from them.

The Yankees might have to shift away from their policy of not extending contracts before they are up if the team doesn't want to lose their Hall of Fame-caliber player still in his prime.

With the remnants of Alex Rodriguez's bloated 10-year contract and Boras' penchant for testing the free agent waters on his mind, Hal Steinbrenner sounds ready to break the Yankees' routine.

"We expressed to Scott what a great Yankee [Cano] has been and we hope he continues his career here for a long time to come. We indicated to him on a very preliminary basis that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract," Steinbrenner told reporters after the team’s workout yesterday. The talks were held before camp opened. "Nothing has happened and there is nothing to report since then."

Boras reminded Steinbrenner that there will be plenty of money floating available outside the Bronx, but he will be listening to the Yankees jingle their pockets.

"I told Hal, Randy [Levine] and Cash [Brian Cashman] it's something we will have a conversation about," said Boras.

Two weeks ago, Steinbrenner said he hoped Cano would be in pinstripes "his entire career" but is still not committing to anything in stone. And he's done it before.

The Yankees didn't negotiate with Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera or Jorge Posada until they were free to go.  Even Derek Jeter went through contentious talks with Steinbrenner when the Captain was a free agent two years ago.

"The main purpose of the conversation was to let [Boras] know that we want Robby to continue to be a Yankee and we appreciate all of his contributions," he said yesterday.

The Yankees maintain they have enough cash to keep their All-Star but Boras doesn't want the constant whirl of contract rumors disrupting his client's focus during his take it or leave it season.

"If we do talk, it will be done very privately," said Boras. "There will not be something to report until it's reported.  Robbie wants to play without distractions."

Good luck with that, Scottie.