現役最強二壘手有機會挑戰史上最肥約嗎?
http://nybaseballdigest.com/2012/04/14/is-cano-worth-300-million/
Robinson Cano batted cleanup yesterday. Although Alex Rodriguez and Nick
Swisher were the offensive heroes in the Yankees 5-0 home opening victory, it
was Cano that I was focused on. How far we have come from the winter of 2008
when many thought Cano was a lazy underachiever. Just four years later it’s
conceivable that he is the future focal point of the Yankees offense. He also
might be the first $300 million dollar ballplayer.
When you look at the middle of the Yankees order the future is murky. Alex
Rodriguez is not going to consistently turn back the clock like he did
yesterday. Mark Teixeira needs to figure out whether he wants to play
softball or baseball for the rest of his career. Curtis Granderson profiles
better at the top of the order than run producer. Nick Swisher? Don’t make
me laugh, as the Yankees will rightfully let him walk rather than offer a
multi-year deal for a sixth-place hitter on a good team. There is no one that
profiles as a middle-of-the-order run producer in the minors, especially now
that Jesus Montero is in the Pacific Northwest.
That brings me to Cano. He has been called “Rod Carew with power,” but he
should belong in the conversation with some of the best in the game at his
position. Most believe Joe Morgan is the best second baseman in history.
Through the age of 29, Morgan had accumulated 103 HRs, 433 RBI and a batting
average of .270. He had two All-Star appearances and had won his first Gold
Glove during that 1973 season. In comparison, Cano is also a tw0-time
All-Star, won a Gold Glove and a superior offensive player with 144 career
HRs, 621 RBI and a .307 batting average.
The Yankees have a $15 million dollar option for next season. Cano will be a
free agent after 2013, and undoubtedly one of the most desired on the market.
Is it crazy to think someone will offer him an Alex Rodriguez-type contract
that exceeds exceeds $27 million AAV?
The Reds just signed their second baseman, Brandon Phillips, to a 6-year/$73
million dollar deal. Phillips is a very good player, but nowhere near the
conversation among the best in the history of the game. Joey Votto, a first
baseman, just inked a 10-year/$225 million dollar extension that starts in
2014. The Yankees could talk about getting below the $189 million dollar
luxury tax threshold, but the game is flush with cash. If mid-market teams
are inking their homegrown stars to big deals, then the Yankees will have no
choice but to do the same with Cano, who is a Scott Boras client. Stars such
as Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder - both DH candidates in the back half of
their career- earned 10-year deals worth $240 and $214 million, respectively.
If Votto is worth $25 million a year, then what will Cano demand at a far
more premium position. Also, Votto – although a solid player – is nowhere
near considered one of the elite first baseman in the history of the game. As
mentioned, Cano’s production to date puts him in the same class as Morgan,
but is also superior to Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg and Roberto Alomar.
When you factor in the Yankees don’t have an elite run-producer coming from
the farm system, then signing Cano to a monster deal is probably something
they have no choice but to swallow.
Can you see 10-years/$300 million? I can.