Robinson Cano thinks he is worth 10 years for $305 million. His numbers have been great and combined with stellar defense, who would not want this guy on their team? However, Cano will turn 31 at the end of next month and the math is simple; huge contract extensions fail in the major leagues. There are many examples n in the game throughout the years and ball clubs after Cano should be weary.
Maybe Cano is trying to set the bar high and he's really seeking a contract for eight years, $250 million? That seems more logical. The point is, though Cano's production has been great in his first nine years in the big leagues, nevermind the $305 million, does anybody want to risk having to pay Cano a ton of money when he is 40 years old and probably incapable of giving you the same production?
The only positive about the New York Yankees keeping Cano is that he will be playing in the same city and for the same team. There will not be a period of adaptation seen with the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, who struggled terribly with the Boston Red Sox after signing huge contracts. Gonzalez's 7-year, $154 million deal was probably not that bad, granted, the first basemen was one of the best on both sides of the ball, but the change of coasts played a huge role in his production. Then there was Crawford, who simply did not deserve the money he was offered, a contract that I will refuse to acknowledge even exists.
The Yankees have experience with players in their late 30's. The main one is Alex Rodriguez. His reputation stinks and his health is just as bad, following years of physical abuse on the field and off the field with his repeated use of steroids. Who knows how fast Cano's range, skill and strength will deteriorate, but do the Yankees want to go down the same path once again?
There are guys like Joey Votto, Troy Tulowizki and Matt Kemp, who received contract extensions and big bucks despite suffering injuries. Tulowitzki is probably the best shortstop in the league, but he is unable to remain healthy for an entire season. Instead of Tulowitzki, who can clearly play great on both sides of the ball, Andrelton Simmons is considered the best shortstop in the game, but he can barely hit. Nothing against Simmons, but Tulowitzki is truly one of a kind.
Votto won the MVP and has led the league in on-base percentage for four straight years. (Where were the moneyball people in the first round of the 2002 draft?) However, knee issues troubled the 2010 N.L. MVP last season. Some say Votto is expected to lose his pop, though 24 home runs in 2013 do not seem so bad for a guy with knee issues. Down the road, will Votto's knee injuries catch up to him? That is a multi-million dollar risk the Cincinnati Reds are taking.
Then there is Matt Kemp. He had one grandious season in 2011 and he was offered a huge stack of money. Of course, he did not turn it down. However, following the big payday, Kemp has become irrelevant with his production dwindling to that of an average player due to his health issues. He is playing under an eight-year contract worth $160 million.
Don't even get me started on the Albert Pujols deal. He had great numbers in 2012, his first season with the Los Angeles Angels, and this was after taking over a month to hit his first home run. The guy can barely remain healthy, missing over 50 games this season. If I'm giving a guy over $24 million a year, he better play at least 150 games a year, every year of his contract.
Can Cano be that guy? Will Cano remain healthy and produce the same way he will at the age 40 the way he does now or do we simply handout contracts to reward players for their production in the past? It's not that Cano does not deserve the money, but teams should be wiser about signing players and shelling out big bucks after the free agent is over 30.
