The New York Yankees are now working to move on after losing Robinson Cano in a long free agency battle. Cano could have been called one of the faces of the Yankees franchise, hit big bat often saving the team. But baseball is a business built on money and Cano wanted to get paid. Derek Jeter is not surprised.
Cano left for the Seattle Mariners and a 10-year, $240 million contract, far more than what the Yankees are offering. Jeter says he is happy for his former teammate, but is certainly not going to miss him come next season.
"I learned a long time ago I'm not going to be surprised by anything," Jeter said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "With Robbie, I played with him for nine years. He's the second baseman I've spent the longest time with, so I'm going to miss him a lot. We got pretty close throughout the years, but I understand it's a business. I wish him the best. Everyone knows how I feel about him as a player. I would've liked to have played with him longer, but it's a business and guys move on."
As Kobe Bryant spent time trying to convince Dwight Howard to stay with the Lakers. Jeter did not take the same approach with Cano. The captain never called the second baseman, opting to let him make the decision on his own. While Jeter intends to spend his entire career in New York, he knew Cano would not take the same approach.
"I mean, I thought he would," Jeter said. "I think a lot of people thought he would. But I don't know all the details of what happened. I'd be speaking prematurely if I were to comment on what went down between those two sides. I have no clue. That's a better question for Robbie, but I think a lot of people hoped he was gonna be here. Like I said, whatever reason, he's made his decision."
With Cano out of the picture, Jeter is ready to focus on the new look of the Yankees. That new look includes Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann. Jeter praised the moves by general manager Brian Cashman. He has plenty of experience playing with McCann in the World Baseball Classic and loves the talent he sees. Jeter has also seen plenty of Ellsbury during his time with the Red Sox. The captain believes all of these moves will pay off and he trusts the Yankees front office to make the right moves.
"He's done a lot," Jeter said of Cashman. "Like I said, I don't know what they're gonna do, what they're planning on doing from this point forward. Really, I do not try to pay much attention to it until we sign someone or trade for someone. But yeah, nothing surprises me, and until we get to spring training we'll wait and see."
