Yankees are considering a talk with Max Scherzer: Report

After showing little interest in any high-priced player this offseason, the Yankees sound like they may be reconsidering their reported plan to avoid spending a lot of money and go after one of baseball's top free-agents — namely right-hander Max Scherzer.

The Tigers' workhorse is arguably the top starter on the market this year, on a list which also includes Jon Lester and James Shields. And he would also garner the most expensive contract.

According to CBS Sports, it shouldn't come as a surprise if the Yankees and Scherzer start talking:

The Yankees and Scherzer's agent, Scott Boras, are said to have had a brief contact sometime since returning from the GM meetings, and word is the Yankees may "revisit" their inclination not to make any big expenditures this winter.

The early word was that they were going to avoid the biggest free agents, and that seems to hold true, with the possible exception of Scherzer. Yankees people have long admired Lester, the other big-time free agent pitcher in his prime, but it seems Scherzer is the one they are seriously considering.

During the GM meetings in Phoenix last Wednesday, Boras was asked what he thought of the Yankees’ reported disinterest in signing a mega-name this offseason.

Boras wasn't convinced.

"The one thing I know about the Yankees is that they’ve been out of the playoffs for two years," Boras said.. "You have to go back to 1992 or 1993 (the last time that happened). The Steinbrenner history has always been, ‘We’re going to win.’ It serves their brand. It serves their model to do anything they can to win. I’m not here to make individual decisions for them but I just know, I think that brand dynamic and trying to win every year has gone pretty well for them the last time I looked."

Boras also championed his client, a 2013 Cy Young winner and ace of just about any rotation he joins.

"Over the last three years he's led Major League Baseball in strikeouts and wins," Boras said. "He has a resume that's off the charts."

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but with their tender-armed pitching roster, it seems the Yankees might have no other choice than making a grandiose move for a proven arm.

Victor Cruz hooking up with Jay-Z's Roc Nation

Victor Cruz is reportedly partnering up with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports — the rapper's latest sports representation venture, according to ESPN.com.

Roc Nation is an affiliate of Creative Artists Agency, and Cruz recently switched to CAA's Tom Condon to represent him.

Condon is expected to represent Cruz in his contract negotiations with the New York Giants while Roc Nation will most likely help the Giants receiver with his off-the-field interests.

Darren Rovell, ESPN's sports business reporter, tweeted that Jay-Z has a preliminary agent certification for Major League Baseball but currently does not have a certification for the NFL.

That makes the second popular New York athlete to join music impresario Jay-Z in his new venture.  New York Yankees Robinson Cano fired his agent Scott Boras on Tuesday and jumped over to Roc Nation. You can probably expect a lot of popular young athletes to follow suit in the coming months. Roc Nation will act as a marketing arm for both athletes.

Cruz flashes the Roc hand sign after scoring

Cruz was apparently teasing fans about his relationship with Jay-Z during the season after he was caught flashing the Roc hand sign (using both hands to form a diamond) after doing his trademark salsa dances, according to ESPN.  He was coy about the symbolism and politely said he couldn't talk about it when asked.

The 26-year-old Cruz is a restricted free agent at the moment and teams have until April 19 to make an offer.  Highly unlikely considering that any team who wants the receiver will have to cough up a first-round draft pick.

Condon, meanwhile, already has a good relationship with the Giants organization and represents Eli Manning and Mathias Kiwanuka — so the expectations that local-boy Cruz will stay with Big Blue are pretty high.

But there's a better chance that Brooklyn native Jay-Z 's high profile name and brand will keep Cruz and Cano in New York. But if he doesn't, expect a lot of fans to tell the rapper he'll have more than 99 Problems to deal with.

Robinson Cano dumps Scott Boras, becomes first client of Jay-Z's Roc Nation

Robinson Cano announced today that he has fired super-agent Scott Boras and will be joining Jay-Z's newly launched sports agency Roc Nation.  The New York Yankees All-Star will be Roc Nation's first client.

Roc Nation Sports will be led by the rapper with Juan Perez serving as president. They have partnered with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency to co-represent the second baseman.

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” Jay-Z said.

Cano is a member of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship team, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and two-time Gold Glove Award winner on the verge of a huge payday.

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates."

Cano would become the third Yankee to cut ties with Boras but, unlike Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira before him, he is leaving before signing a big contract that Boras brokered.

For some reason, Cano's hookup with unabashed Yankees fan Jay-Z sounds like good news for the Bronx Bombers.

Cano's dad says Robbie wouldn't feel right leaving the Yankees

Jose Cano has guided his son Robinson throughout his whole life and now — while the younger Cano faces one of the biggest decisions of his professional career — father sounds like he knows what's best for the New York Yankees all-everything.

The elder Cano, who will be on the coaching staff of his son's Dominican Republic team for the World  Baseball Classic, says he hopes the All-Star second baseman stays in the Bronx for the rest of his career.

"We’re still waiting to see what’s going on with the Yankees. But the Yankees I don’t think are going to let him go." the elder Cano said Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "I wish he can be here forever. I don’t think he’ll feel comfortable going to another city…I hope he can be a Yankee forever."

The older Cano said he speaks with his son nearly every day — including about the "significant offer" put on the table by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman last week.

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.

Cano denies any ties to Biogenesis clinic or PED use

Robinson Cano has acknowledged his close friendship with Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera, but the Yankees second baseman said he doesn't know anything about Biogenesis — the anti-aging clinic that had both players' names listed in its records.

Asked at the end of a press conference Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field if he ever used performance-enhancing drugs or was anyway linked to Biogenesis, Cano didn't answer the first question and only answered the second.

"I don't know where that place is at," said Cano. "The first time I heard about that was when the things came out."

The "things" he speaks of are reports that Rodriguez and Cabrera were linked to PEDs through the Miami clinic's records and is now being investigated by MLB.

Three reporters followed Cano out of the presser into the parking lot and — after he didn't answer the question regarding ever using PEDs — the Yankees slugger finally answered "No" to ever using the banned substances.

Since Cano is so close to Rodriguez and Cabrera, many consider him guilty just by association.

"It doesn't matter who you are hanging out [with], Cano said. "Everyone has their personal lives and they do what they want. Like I say, through the good and the bad times  they are always going to be my friends. I'll let them handle it."

The perennial All-Star has never tested positive for PEDs, despite false reports tweeted by a North Carolina TV station last summer, but the implication of guilty by association comes at a bad time for Cano as he plays out the season before becoming a highly desirable free agent.

Cano, who is represented by Scott Boras, may be seeking a 10-year, $275 million deal similar to A-Rod's — one that will pay Cano until he's 40-years-old.

The badgered ballplayer defended his deflection of the PED question.

"It's always going to bother you when somebody tries to say stuff like that," said a defiant Cano. "These kinds of things, sometimes as a player, you know what you do and what you're capable of doing you'll be fine.  It's more your family. Those are the kinds of things that really bother me."

Cano will probably leave Yankees for free agency after '13, say sources

In a scenario New York Yankees fans would have scoffed at last season, the possibility of seeing Robinson Cano, the team's best all-around player, in anything but pinstripes just might become reality after the 2013 season.

According to two industry sources familiar with Cano's situation, the Yankees' Gold Glove second baseman may very well leave the team once he becomes a free agent, reports the New York Daily News.

"I don't think he'll be with the Yankees beyond next season," one of the sources told the Daily News.  "He's not giving them a hometown discount, and they seem to be more interested in keeping their payroll down than winning."

Say hello to the new Yankees philosophy.

Cano, who was attending the celebrity golf tournament sponsored by his friend David Ortiz this weekend at the Dominican Cap Cana resort, told the newspaper that he would "love" to remain a Yankee for life, but added: "I know this is a business ... it's up to them."

Three major factors will help determine whether or not the Yankees All-Star second baseman stays in the Bronx.

First, is the Yankees' new payroll belt-tightening by Hal Steinbrenner — who hopes to get the team's payroll down to $189 million before 2014 to avoid a huge luxury-tax.  Cano will be asking for everything but Derek Jeter's black book.

Second, is the fact that Cano is represented by super agent Scott Boras, who was behind teammate Alex Rodriguez's record $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers in 2001 and before the current 10-year, $275 million dollar contract A-Rod signed with the Yankees in 2007.  He will make sure Cano doesn't come cheap.

Finally, is the lesson learned from signing the then 32-year-old A-Rod to a 10-year deal when he was heading towards the downside of his career.  The Yankees are now strapped with the declining and now injured third baseman for another five years.

Cano will be 31-year-old next year and the source said he will seek a similar deal similar to A-Rod's — money that the Yankees probably won't want to tie up for a decade.

"He's the best player on the Yankees," the second source said.  " There's no reason for him not to be paid that way."

Boras said during this week's winter meetings that he doesn't plan on discussing a new contract for Cano until next offseason.

It's a moot point.  The Yankees have a strict policy of not starting contract discussions until after the final year of the contract. Who can forget Derek Jeter's contentious talks before the 2011 season. This could be just as interesting.

"I think the Yankees policy is very clear, that they always walk through the contracts and then address them when they end," said Boras.  "We just will get [Cano] ready to play the season, play out the season and then evaluate things at the end of '13."

Asked about the possibility of Cano bolting for free agency, a team official declined comment, calling it "typical offseason speculation."

Cano has already been warned by his peers about the rough waters he is about to tread as a free agent for the first time.

"I've never been in that position before.  I hear guys saying it's not fun when you're going to be a free agent, stuff like that," said Cano about the road ahead come next winter.

Still, he was optimistic he will be playing in pinstripes for the remainder of his career.

"Why not? It's like where you grew up — as kids, you always want to stay with your people," the laid-back Cano said.  "But I know this is a business.  That's what it is."

Robinson Cano won't give Yankees a discount again

Robinson Cano still has one year left on his on his contract with the New York Yankees but that doesn't mean his agent Scott Boras hasn't already started to draw a line in the sand.

While the Yankees have more pressing concerns — like resigning steady performers like Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettite and Mariano Rivera with short-term pacts — there is the conundrum of what to do with Cano.  The easy-going second baseman — who becomes a free agent after next season— is the pinstriped elephant in the room and the outcome of his deal could have ramifications clear through 2024.

The Yankees want to retain their best all-round player but keeping the bottom line on staying under the $189 million luxury tax cap in 2014 and, at the same time, avoid getting stuck with a pricey, long-term commitment like they gave to Alex Rodriguez.

The 30-year-old Cano has already told teammates he expects to sign a ten-year deal and you know Boras is looking at getting the most bucks for his client.

A confidant of Cano has told The New York Post that the player thinks he has already taken a discount once to sign long term and will not do so again.

Before the 2008 season, Cano signed a six-year, $57 million contract once two option seasons were picked up.  That final option is for $15 million in 2013 after which he becomes a free agent.  Cano could have become a free agent after the 2011 season without signing that deal.

Boras said he spoke with both Yankees president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman but, as is Yankees policy about not talking terms until a contract is over, he believes Cano will play out this season before any serious negotiations begin.

Using the contentious negotiations with Derek Jeter two years ago and the bloated mega-contract of Rodriguez as learning tools, the Yankees are probably hopeful they can come to some kind of middle ground.

On the other hand, Boras thinks that as the franchise value and revenue rises so should its most valuable player's salary — comparably.

All the agent has to do is point to first basemen like Prince Fielder (nine years, $214 million) and Joey Votto (10 years, $225 million) as examples.

When we last saw Cano, he was lounging in the dugout, sporting a 3-for-40 postseason, looking like he didn't have a care in the world.

It will be interesting to see if the Yankees learned anything from dealing with Jeter and A-Rod.  The Yankees organization might be going back to school once again.

Jose Reyes Will Make Mets Pay For Wilpon's Remarks

Last month, New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon told The New Yorker magazine that his star third baseman and soon to be free-agent, Jose Reyes, would never get "Carl Crawford money."  He also threw in a few tidbits like Reyes had "everything wrong with him" and "he won't get it" to stress his point.   Those fateful words may now come back to haunt the financially-troubled owner.

Reyes is off to a mind-boggling MVP-type season and leading a mid-season surge to a once improbable Mets wild-card playoff spot.

Forget Carl Crawford bucks, Reyes has even been bandied about as the next New York Yankees shortstop--replacing cross-town icon Derek Jeter.  We're talking desperate Yankees dollars now.

Reyes has not publicly mentioned himself as being trade-bait or packing his bags for another team, but Metsies shouldn't speculate that their star wants to remain with the Mets.

The 28 year-old Reyes is still attached to his long-time agents even though there has been rumors about super-agent Scott Boras poaching the highly-desirable Reyes.

Reyes' current agents are Chris Leible--the godfather of two of Reyes' kids--and Peter Greenberg.  Both associates have stood by Reyes through a couple of injury-plagued seasons and cries of overrated by fans and media.  By the way, the two men are also friends of their client.

Reyes claims people are getting the wrong idea after a Fox Sports story said the Mets player had spoken with Boras.

"There is no chance I would ever leave those guys," said Reyes of Leible and Greenburg.  " I mean, I have been with them since I was 17."

Wilpon might one of those people who are getting the wrong vibe from Reyes.  The Mets owner might read into Reyes snub of Boras as some sign of loyalty.

The Mets are probably under the impression that by staying with his agents, Reyes can't be shopped around by Boras and a reasonable offer could keep their prize in his Flushing surroundings.  That glimmer of hope is based on the delusional reasoning that since Reyes isn't represented by a blood-seeking shark who seeks the maximum contract for his clients, he is more about keeping contract talks simple and staying cozy with the Mets.

Fat chance.

Reyes doesn't need Boras to get a huge contract.  About two-third of the majors could use a lead-off third baseman who is currently leading the NL with a .341 average and 103 runs scored.

If Reyes isn't traded by the July 31 deadline, expect the free-agent flood-gates to open and the Mets left standing without their rubber boots.

Reyes' agents have not said what they are seeking, but it's a sure bet it will be a lot more than the $17 million per season that Jeter is getting.

Crawford signed a seven-year contract with the Boston Red Sox for $142 million.

At the moment, the Mets and Reyes are world's apart on what the team wants to pay and what their third baseman is expecting. He's earned it and Wilpon showed no devotion of his own when he dissed Reyes in public.

 According to the New York Daily News, Reyes' friends say he talks about what he is looking for when the Met is away from the diamond.

"He talks about it all the time," said one buddy.  "And if the Mets think they're getting him for, like, $95 million, they're wrong.  He's going to get paid.  He's clear about that."

Whatever the outcome, Wilpon is going to have to put a lot of money where his big mouth is if the Mets want to keep Reyes in blue and orange.