Robinson Cano has chosen to let his contract negotiations with the New York Yankees stay privately between himself and the organization, but that didn't stop Jose Cano, Robinson's father, from chiming in on his son's impending free agency.
Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the elder Cano believes his son will re-sign with the Yankees during the upcoming offseason: "I think he is coming back. I don't think he is going to go anywhere else. Hopefully, he can stay here."
Jose's confidence in the matter comes from his own personal desires, however. He cites New York as a convenient location that's close to home and doesn't want to think of the possibility of Robinson playing "five or six" hours away. Jose also has confidence in the Yankee organization to "come up with something good in the end."
The Yankees' second baseman has been adamant about not discussing his contract negotiations with the team he has spent his entire nine-year career with. Amid all the distractions the Yankees have been faced with during this tumultuous season, the last thing they need is to be continuously reminded about their best player's lack of a contract beyond this season.
At 31-years-old, Cano is still in his prime. The Yankees may not want to go more than six or seven years for him, but Cano will more than likely ask for a deal in the eight-to-10 year range. Negotiations from there are between Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman, Cano and Cano's new agency, Roc Nation.
Cano's track record suggests he is certainly worth a long-term investment—just how long, though, likely won't be up to him. He owns a career line of .308/.354/.505 with 198 home runs and 780 RBI. He's also performing this season like he's determined for a huge deal, sporting a line of .302/.386/.531 with 21 home runs and 65 RBI. A .386 on-base percentage would be the best mark of his career.
The second baseman is focused on this season and taking his Yankees to the postseason, but his father already has legitimate thoughts about the future. He envisions his son as the heir apparent to Derek Jeter—and not just in terms of talent.
Jose went out on a limb in the interview with Marchand, going so far as to say that his son will be the next captain of the Yankees. That's right; Jose believes his son will join the ranks of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, Don Mattingly, Jeter and seven others. Talk about elite company.
What happens with the star second baseman remains to be seen, but he'll be the most highly sought after free agent this offseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies are three teams listed by Marchand that could have the dollars to sign him, but the Yankees may end up being at the top of nearly everyone's prediction list.
We'll have to just wait and see. If his father's opinions mean anything, though, count on Robinson being a Yankee for a long, long time.
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