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Robinson Cano remains in contact with the Yankees, even as they look elsewhere for other additions.
(John Munson/The Star-Ledger)
The Yankees closed their offices this week out of deference to the upcoming holiday, but team officials remain active in their discussion with free agents.
Tuesday, they met in Manhattan with the agents for the biggest prize of all — their own second baseman, Robinson Cano, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The person requested anonymity in order to speak freely about the situation, one that does not appear to have changed significantly in recent weeks.
The Yankees intend to continue their dialogue with Cano. There remains a "very sizable gap" between the two sides, the person said after Tuesday’s meeting, which included team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and two of Cano’s representatives, Brodie Van Wagenen of CAA and Juan Perez of Roc Nation.
The initial difference was thought to be close to $150 million. Levine stressed last week the Yankees would not grant Cano the 10-year, $310 million contract he sought during the earlier portion of negotiations.
The Yankees have countered with an offer believed to be closer to $160 million. Both sides may be edging off those opening positions, but the pace has not been rapid.
A representative from CAA declined to comment on the discussions, as did the Yankees.
As December approaches, Cano’s market still has yet to develop in public view. But his agents, including Jay Z, have been diligent in their efforts to create one. The group dined with Mets officials last week, even if general manager Sandy Alderson shot down the idea of his team pursuing Cano. There was a report Cano flew to Detroit later in the week, even if Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski insisted he intended to use new acquisition Ian Kinsler as his second baseman in 2014.
Some of this is standard negotiating procedure. But the Yankees are not allowing Cano’s situation — or Alex Rodriguez’s delayed suspension decision — to impede their offseason reloading. They already signed catcher Brian McCann to a five-year, $85 million deal. They remain in contact with the representatives for outfielder Carlos Beltran, starter Hiroki Kuroda, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and shortstop Stephen Drew.
Beltran is believed to be their top target. The Yankees have shown they are "as interested as a team could be" in Beltran, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity in order to speak freely about the talks. But the discussions centers around years, and for right now, the Yankees are said to be unwilling to grant Beltran the three-year deal he seeks.
Perhaps that divide can be bridged. The other reported Beltran suitors are Baltimore, Boston, Kansas City and Seattle, the New York Post reported.