Image Courtesy of David Pokress
As I reported the other day, the Seattle Mariners were the front runners for the services of free agent, and former Yankees All-Star, second baseman Robinson Cano. The Yankees refuse to go over seven years and $175 million for the home grown stud but the Mariners have been firing on all cylinders.
It is common knowledge now that Cano originally wanted 10 years and $300 million. His stance softened down to the $260 million range. The White Sox and Yankees are not willing to take that leap but the Mariners were in the ballpark.
The sides we so close that both Robinson Cano and Jay-Z (Cano’s agent if you live in a vacuum). and CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen flew in to take a meeting with the Mariners executives. When Cano and his entourage arrived for the negotiations there was an eight year $200 million offer on the table. There were even assurances that the Mariners were willing to up the ante to a nine year $225 million dollar contract for the free agent.
That is where Jay’Z’s inexperience with these types of negations took a great situation and turned things on their heads. According to to a report by Bill Madden, Teri Thompson and Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Jay-Z then demanded 10 years and $252 million for Cano’s services. In case you forgot, the last time there was a 10 year $252 million dollar offer around the Seattle Mariners they let Alex Rodriguez walk to the Texas Rangers.
With that the Mariners have broken off talks with Cano and his representation claiming they are not inclined to continue contract negotiations with a player that clearly does not want to be in Seattle. Or that was at least this morning.
Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes is reporting that Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a 10 year $240 million deal with Seattle Mariners. The details of the contract are not yet public.
Cano was Roc Nation Sports’ first client after they inked a deal back in April. Yes CAA is involved as well but you’re Robinson Cano and you are approaching the biggest deal in your life. For Cano it is the deal of all deals given age and stature in the sports then why sign with Roc Nation Sports? Was it for the “other avenues” that Jay-Z could bring the Cano brand? Probably so but he could have signed on for that and have a real agent negotiate his contract. Agents like Scott Boras, Greg Genske and SFX make their money for a reason. They are the best at what they do.
Cano rolled the dice and almost lost out on a mega deal. The signing is great news for Roc Nation Sports, Robinson Cano and his family. But what about Seattle, the team that just agreed to the third largest contract in baseball history? It appears their personal offense at Cano’s pressure was not enough to overcome their need for a star to fill their seats. The problem now is can Seattle sign anyone else? If notm will the fans still show up and cheer after the All-Star break when the Mariners are 15 games under .500? Hopefully for the Mariners fan base there is more in the team’s wallet or else after the honeymoon it will be more of the same in the pacific northwest.