Outside of Brian McCann, Robinson Cano is the biggest name in free agency. He is demanding a large contract and will not rest until he gets it. The New York Yankees second baseman is likely going to walk away for the team's offer, so where does that leave him? According to sources, it could be with the Detroit Tigers.
Chris Iott from MLive.com is reporting that Cano or his agency met with the Detroit Tigers this week about a pssible deal. Iott stresses that there has been no confirmation of a sighting from anyone's camp in Detroit, but the local news does confirm a private jet was chartered from New York to the east side of Detroit. It is all merely speculation, but the Detroit Tigers have already made one big move this offseason, so why not make another?
Detroit has voiced their support for current second baseman Ian Kinsler. General manager Dave Dombrowski has said he will remain a member of the team. Detroit acquired Kinsler after they shipped off the very expensive Prince Fielder to Texas to clear up financial space. That spare money could be used to extend the contracts of either Max Scherzer or Miguel Cabrera, or it could be used for Cano.
It seems highly unlikely that Detroit would trade away one expensive player for another. The team could do some shifting if they really want the free agent. Kinsler or Victor Martinez could play first base and Cano would slide into second with Cabrera at third. There are certainly ways to make it work if the Tigers want that bat in the lineup, but the money makes it feel likely an unlikely fit.
Cano has not been shy about what he wants in the way of money. The Yankees have officially offered a seven-year, $161 million contract. Cano said he would not back down from a 10-year, $300 million deal. Sources have told ESPN that Cano will not budge from the demands and with Jay Z by his side, it could be possible.
The meeting with the Tigers comes off the heels of a reported meeting Jay Z had with the New York Mets. According to the New York Post, the agent met with team officials for dinner. The hip hop mogul has no other baseball clients he is representing, so clearly the meeting was about his free agent. It is likely the Mets cannot afford Cano while still having someone like David Wright on the books.
Cano's best option still feels like the Yankees, but New York is not going to meet his salary demands. Asking for the largest contract in baseball history does limit the options a bit.