When free agency begins at the end of the baseball season, Robinson Cano will be one of the biggest names involved. The New York Yankees second baseman has been the most consistent member of the lineup over the past couple of years. He is now considered an elite fielder and has averaged 197 hits and over 100 runs per season over the past four years, so naturally teams are interested. One club taking themselves out of the running for Cano is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers have no plans on pursuing high-priced free agents this coming offseason. That would certainly include Cano who will command a top-dollar deal. The Dodgers currently have over $600 million invested in their payroll after signing high-priced players like Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Zack Greinke and Yasiel Puig in May of 2012. Those deals were added on to the big contracts that Matt Kemp, Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw are all signed to.
Los Angeles has the highest pay roll in the major leagues, but apparently are not interested in that getting any higher. Many believed however that despite the large payroll, Cano was target with the contract of second baseman Mark Ellis expiring at the end of the year.
New York certainly hopes Cano will stay on with the team. He is earning $15 million in the final year of his deal while leading the Yankees with 22 home runs. Cano could earn upwards of $110 million, the same size deal Dustin Pedroia signed with the Red Sox.
The Daily Mail reports that Cano has sought advice from teammate Alex Rodriguez who is encouraging the 30-yeard old to play the field and test out his market value. Sources report that Rodriguez is encouraging Cano to seriously think about signing with another team.
The Yankees need Cano, flat out. Rodriguez will be far away from baseball next year and Cano will easily be the best player on team that is becoming riddled with age and injuries. He is invaluable, so even if the veteran commands a deal larger than Pedroia's, he is worth it.
Cano is coming off back-to-back silver slugger awards as well as winning a golden glove award last year. His .301 batting average 76 RBI is coming in lineup that is offering him little to no support. With Jeter constantly hurt and Rodriguez preparing to serve a lengthy suspension, New York cannot let Cano take the advice and walk away.