Yankees Exercise Options on Cano, Granderson, and Aardsma

From Erik Boland:

Free agency officially kicked off in the hours after the Giants completed their four-game sweep of the Tigers in the World Series on Sunday night and, as expected, the Yankees on Monday exercised the club options they held on second baseman Robinson Cano, centerfielder Curtis Granderson and reliever David Aardsma.

Twelve of their players became free agents, headlined by Hiroki Kuroda, Nick Swisher, Russell Martin, Ichiro Suzuki, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. The others are Eric Chavez, Pedro Feliciano, Freddy Garcia, Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones and Derek Lowe.

Players can start signing with other clubs after midnight ET on Saturday.

OK, just wanted to post that before the Sandy knocked out my power and internet. Stay safe people.

Sherman: Cano Wants 10-Year Deal

From Joel Sherman:

Whenever I have asked about his financial goals, Cano always has said he is not concentrating on that subject. Yet a few members of the team told me Cano has said he is expecting a 10-year contract at top-of-the-market dollars. In a conversation with me yesterday, Boras also did not give numbers, but it was clear he expects his client to be treated financially like one of the great players in the game.

Boras said he anticipates the no-brainer move of the Yankees picking up Cano’s $15 million 2013 option, but he does not foresee an extension this offseason because “their normal course of action with players under contracts is to let them play it out, so I don’t think there will be urgency on their part.”

The Yankees’ urgency is in knowing that if an extension is not done by the start of spring training, Boras almost certainly would take their best player into the free-agent market for 30 teams to bid on a year from now.

You obviously pick up his option for next season, $15 million for Cano is very reasonable, even with his annual October disappearing act. But if those are going to be his demands, I think the Yankees should call his bluff and see if any other team is stupid enough to give Cano that type of deal. If there is one, then they should strongly consider letting him walk.

Curry: Cano Needs To Show More Effort

From Jack Curry:

Cano is an excellent player, the best player on the Yankees. He has the sweetest swing on the team, a swing that he perfects in early afternoon sessions with hitting coach Kevin Long. He has the most dependable glove on the team, too, a second baseman who plays with panache and who has a powerful arm that makes other infielders envious.

But Cano, for all of his talents, was the central figure in two plays that hurt the Yankees in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Rays. After Cano lashed a low liner to third in the eighth, he took one step out of the batter’s box and stopped running. While that can happen to any batter, it shouldn’t happen. It also happens too often with Cano, whether it’s a low liner to third or a slow roller to second.

Once Cano stopped, he was doomed. Elliott Johnson, who isn’t Brooks Robinson, didn’t catch the liner. He dropped it, retrieved it and then made an errant throw to first. But Johnson still managed to get the out when first baseman Carlos Pena moved up the line to collect the ball and tag Cano. Failing to run to first is always a mistake, but Cano’s actions were magnified because he would have been safe if he didn’t hesitate.

“That happens,” said manager Joe Girardi. “Guys think a line drive is caught and they kind of freeze.”

A few minutes later, Cano was in the forefront of another play that exasperated the Yankees. With a runner on second and two outs, Chris Gimenez tapped a grounder to the second base hole. Cano moved toward his left to field the ball, but it somehow trickled under his golden glove. Cano didn’t dive. He stretched for the ball and missed it by a few inches. Cano later said that he felt something in his hip “grab” and that impacted his pursuit of the ball.

“I couldn’t bend over,” Cano told reporters. “It was grabbing.”

While it is difficult to criticize a player who may have injured himself on a play, Cano had to figure out a way to smother that ball, keep it in the infield and prevent the go-ahead run from scoring. Attend any Little League game in any city and, inevitably, you will hear a coach yelling, “Knock it down infielders.” The Yankees wanted Cano to knock the ball down and keep the score tied, 3-3, but he didn’t succeed.

“I thought he was going to get there,” Girardi said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t and that’s why we lost.”

Here's some visual evidence of Cano's laziness, and as the announcers correctly point out this clip, Robbie has got to get down and at least knock down the ball there. If he does, who knows, maybe the Yankees actually win the game. I'm sure he's not lying about the injury, but even a hurt he could easily have gotten on the ground for that one.

I'm a big Cano fan, but this is one area of his game that drives me nuts. The sad part is that this is is nothing new for Robbie. We've all heard people call him lazy over the years, and it's becoming harder... well, nearly impossible to defend at this point. Maybe Cano will wake up one of these days and realize he can't just survive on talent alone.

Cano Questionable For Tomorrow's Game With Hip Injury

From Mark Feinsand:

Robinson Cano felt his left hip grab at him during the decisive play in Monday’s game, leaving the second baseman questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Rays.

Cano said his hip “felt a little tight” as he tried to make a play on Chris Gimenez’s grounder through the hole, impeding his ability to bend over for the ball. He was seen wearing a big ice pack on his hip after the game, as he spent an extended amount of time in the trainer’s room.

“Right when I tried to bend, my left foot just came straight up and I felt my hip,” Cano said. “It’s tight right now. Hopefully nothing bad or anything.”

Cano said he was a little worried about the injury, though he was hopeful that he would be back in the lineup Tuesday.

“It was grabbing; I didn’t hear anything pop, thank God,” Cano said. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

With the way this team is pissing away the division another injury might just be the straw that broke the camels back. But like I say in all these all too frequent injury updates, let's hope it's nothing serious.

Boras On Cano's FA Situation

From Joel Sherman:

“I had a meeting with Hal [Steinbrenner] and Randy [Levine, Yankees president] at the owners meetings [in May], and I certainly did not get any indication from them that there will be any dramatic changes in how the Yankees do business,” Boras said by phone.

And Boras did not sound like he would have much sympathy for the Yankees trying to go frugal. He cited Yankees “revenues triple most major league teams.” But, mainly, he invoked the “George Steinbrenner legacy” of building the brand, a TV network and revenues by enlisting and keeping stars — no matter the cost.

“If that continues, the Yankees will still be viewed as a destination for players that is highly coveted,” Boras said.

...

Brian Cashman has said he would like to break the Yankees’ practice of waiting until free agency to negotiate contracts and would prefer to attempt to extend both Cano and Curtis Granderson (like Cano, also a free agent after 2013) this offseason.

If I'm Brian Cashman there's no way I'm letting Cano walk and money shouldn't be an issue. The Yankees will be just fine. They make enough money, and there's no reason for them to start acting like the Royals when it comes to their own big name free agents, especially one who happens to be one of, if not the best second basemen in the game. That said, this isn't going to be an easy negotiation for the Yanks, at least not based on this:

However, according to a friend, Cano has felt underpaid on the current six-year, $57 million pact he signed under previous representation and wants to make a score this time — hence the presence of Boras.

So Cano definitely is going to blow away the current second base record total package of $85 million (Chase Utley) and annual average value of $15 million (Ian Kinsler). But by how much?

Sherman speculates that even offers like $154MM for 7 years or $160MM for 8 will just be the "minimum ante" for Cano. And if you listen to Boras, it appears that he's thinking something more along the lines of $200+ million for 10 years.

“When you go to sign great players and you know you are going to get six or seven years more of greatness, you have to spend by paying more years. You may pay over 10 years for the privilege of having the great seven. That is how it goes with big franchises and acquisitions. And the Yankees under George were one of the first teams to do that.”

This is typical Boras. Set the bar so high that even the middle ground ends up being a ridiculous contract. But again, I'm not going to sit here and pretend like this is something the Yankees cannot afford. I'd prefer if the Yankees could avoid any kind of deal for more than 7 or 8 years, but at the end of the day the Yankees just need to make sure Cano remains a Yankee.

What do you think? If you're Brian Cashman, how much are you willing to ante up for Cano?

Cano, Granderson & Jeter Are All-Star Game Starters

From MLB.com:

The starting lineups for the 2012 All-Star Game on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium have been named, so get set Kansas City, here they come.

...

The 17 starters announced on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on TBS on Sunday give new meaning to the words "star power." Fans have already won, making a record-setting statement in support of their favorite players, but who will win the game this year?

...

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, winner of last year's Home Run Derby, got the starting nod for the third consecutive time, his fourth All-Star Game selection.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is back in the All-Star Game for the 13th time in his career. The Yankees captain bowed out of last year's game, citing exhaustion from the mental and physical rigors of the pursuit of his 3,000th career hit and the need for rest over the All-Star break.

...

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz is an All-Star for the eighth time. Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson and Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista can each smile knowing that they are both three-time All-Stars and in the starting lineup for the second consecutive year.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia also made the AL squad. Click here for the full AL & NL rosters.

Cano Takes Lead in 2nd Base All-Star Voting

Robinson Cano now leads AL 2nd basemen in voting, overtaking Ian Kinsler in this week's updated voting tally. He now leads Kinsler by just under 100,000 votes.

To see the entire voting result update, click on the "read more" link below:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 2,825,532
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 2,261,388
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,863,873
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,711,659
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,429,154

SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,559,290
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 3,462,367
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 1,666,282
Jason Kipnis, Indians: 852,325
Robert Andino, Orioles: 714,560

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 3,073,541
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,692,047
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 1,748,534
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,688,509
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 968,068

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 4,407,982
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 2,764,888
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 1,331,927
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 1,063,137
Alcides Escobar, Royals: 880,111

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 3,008,228
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,772,228
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,623,459
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 1,416,594
Russell Martin, Yankees: 1,156,820

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 3,128,711
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,564,572
Adam Dunn, White Sox: 1,436,643
Raul Ibañez, Yankees: 1,429,894
Billy Butler, Royals: 1,105,870

OUTFIELD
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 7,310,824
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 3,812,339
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 2,773,442
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 2,681,019
Adam Jones, Orioles: 2,633,259
David Murphy, Rangers: 1,738,805
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,529,349
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 1,212,881
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 1,183,817
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,031,382
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,015,482
Alex Gordon, Royals: 901,595
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 888,183
B.J. Upton, Rays: 881,785
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 775,261

Jeter Leading AL Shortstops in All-Star Voting, 2nd Overall

From Marc Carig:

Derek Jeter is the top vote-getter among American League shortstops, according to Major League Baseball, which issued its first All-Star Game balloting update. At nearly 1.7 votes, Jeter ranks second only to the Rangers' Josh Hamilton (nearly 2.6 million) in overall votes.

Jeter, who is batting a team-high .336, leads the AL with 75 hits.

Center fielder Curtis Granderson (1.4 million) ranks behind Hamilton among outfielders and joins Jeter as one of two Yankees would have earned a starting spot if voting ended today. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

First baseman Mark Teixeira and second baseman Robinson Cano rank second at their position in fan voting, behind Prince Fielder of the Tigers and Ian Kinsler of the Rangers.

Jeter deserves all the votes he gets after rebounding from a mostly disappointing 2011 campaign.

In other all-star game news, Robinson Cano has been named captain of the AL Home Run Derby squad and said he's hoping Granderson will join him. Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp will be captain of the NL squad.

Cano Leaves Game After Being Hit on Hand With Pitch (Updated - X-Rays Negative))

(Update 11:45 PM)

From Bryan Hoch:

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's Grapefruit League exhibition against the Orioles after being hit on the left hand by a pitch.

Cano was batting in the sixth inning at Ed Smith Stadium against Baltimore left-hander Troy Patton when he swung at a pitch that clipped his hand, a sequence that was ruled a strikeout by first-base umpire Tim Welke.

Cano doubled over in apparent pain and was immediately seen on the field by head athletic trainer Steve Donohue, who helped the slugger into the third-base dugout.

More updates as they come... Cross your fingers.

Resigning Cano and Granderson Remains Part of Yanks Plans

From Jon Heyman:

Seeking to diffuse any notion that the Yankees won't be able to retain their buggest stars and perhaps suffer a major talent deficit in 2014 when a payroll cut is planned, team president Randy Levine said, "The plan contemplates (Robinson) Cano, (Curtis) Gransderson and a full championship team.''

The Yankees have said they plan to decrease their payroll from the low $200 millions to below $189 million to get below the luxury-tax threshhold for 2012, thus significantly reducing their tax rate in future years and saving themselces tens of millions. With that in mind, some folks are starting to do their own little math and wondering how many stars can be retained considering the Yankees will still have three $20-million-plus per-year players (Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia) on gthe payroll in 2014, leaving themselves about $120 million to fill out the other 22 spots on the team.

With the contracts of Cano and Granderson up after 2013, folks specifically have wondered how the Yankees will squeeze those two big stars onto their payroll. But Yankees people remain confident publicly they can do that and remain a contender.

"We'll have a great team either way,'' GM Brian Cashman said. "At $189 million, we should,''

The Yankees say they will not entertain the idea of going above the $189-million threshhold and are committed to getting below that figure. "The new Basic Agreement has changed the landscape,'' Cashman said. "From a business perspective, we have no choice. Do you want to go over $1 million at the expense of an additional $50 million? We're going to be at or below that ($189 million) number. We will certainly find a way to do it.''

Personally, I have no idea how it'll be possible to retain those two and have a good roster around them. I guess we'll just have to take their word for it for now.

Cano & Damon Pushing Ortiz To Yanks?

From The Sports Xchange:

Robinson Cano(notes) would like to see his friend David Oritz jump from the arch-rival Boston Red Sox to his New York Yankees and Johnny Damon(notes), the former teammate of both players, said it would be a good idea.

"Shoot, I was trying to tell him if he went to New York his 30 home runs turns into 40," Damon said while at Ortiz's celebrity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic, according to The Boston Globe. "He still has a great chance to win. I'm happy I got to experience both sides (of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry). Both sides were very incredible for me.

"… As a baseball fan, I would love to see him stay in Boston," Damon said. "But being a part of it, I know there may be some opportunities and less drama elsewhere."

Cano, also attending Ortiz's tournament, had earlier said he would welcome Big Papi to the Bronx.

"It would be a good idea, having another lefty on the team," Cano told the New York Daily News. "We all know he's a great hitter. Last year, a lot of people were saying, 'He's done.' He proved a lot of people wrong. I like people, when they're down, they prove people wrong. He came back, did a great job."

I know there really isn't a need to bring in a big bat, but I would certainly have no problems if the Yankees were actually interested in signing Ortiz. Not only would it add a very good lefty bat to the lineup, but it would crush Red Sox fans.