(Courtesy of Corey Sipkin/NY Daily News)
When you're a flashy, talented, good-looking middle infielder in his early 30s playing in New York, chances are you're going to be the man. That's the makeup of Robinson Cano, and under a different set of circumstances he would probably be the king of New York. Unfortunately for him, he's come up in the Yankee organization during the Core Four Era and he's always been somewhat overshadowed by those players and the other bigger names and bigger contracts that have been brought in.
All that started to change a few years ago when those bigger names started to hit their mid-30s decline and Cano started to be recognized for his true talent. Over the past few seasons he's risen up to be recognized as the best second baseman in baseball and one of the best all-around players in the game, and that upward trend hit its peak this season as he entered the final year of his current contract. Cano could be the key to the Yankees' future as they move away from the Core Four years, and as the top potential free agent on the market this coming offseason he finally forced his way into the spotlight.
On the field in 2013, Cano did plenty to help his market value. He once again put together a great all-around season, highlighted by strong offensive numbers despite a lack of support in the lineup. Cano posted a .314/.383/.516 batting line, good for a .384 wOBA and 142 wRC+. The .383 OBP was a career high and not coincidentally it came in the same season that Cano also posted a career best 9.5% BB rate. With minimal protection behind him in the batting order for most of the season, opposing pitchers were more careful with Cano and gave him fewer pitches to hit. Rather than catering to his free-swinging reputation, Cano showed more patience and a willingness to take a walk and pass the baton. That he was able to rack up 190 hits, 27 homers, 41 doubles, and drive in 107 runs while taking more walks and being pitched around more is impressive and should not be discounted.
Robbie did revert back to his free-swinging ways at times this year, but still showed no ill effects or signs of lost bat speed. His 12.5% K rate was his lowest since 2010, and he did bounce back from 2012's poor performance against lefties. In the field, Cano was still one of the best in the business and for the 7th straight year he played in 159 or more games. There's next to nothing to point to as a weak part of Cano's season, unless you're a subscriber to the old and tired "he doesn't hustle down the first base line like Derek Jeter does" theory.
Off the field, Robbie made just as much noise as he did on the field. After dumping his previous agent to team up with Scott Boras - a sign that he was fully intending to go big on the open market - Cano surprised everybody on April 2nd when he dumped Boras and signed with Jay-Z's new Roc Nation Sports management firm. Cano became the first client of the new firm, and at face value the move appeared to be a sign that he was leaning towards staying in New York. At the very least, Jay-Z's New York connections give the Yankees a leg up on the competition when it comes to negotiating a new deal, something that Boras' connections to dollar signs didn't.
As for the progress on that new contract front, it's been slow to say the least. The Yankees did break their traditional rule of not negotiating with players before their current contracts are up and initiated talks with Cano earlier in the season. It took until after the regular season ended to get the first figures, and the 2 sides are pretty far apart for the first round. Cano is reportedly seeking a 10-year/$305 million deal while the Yankees offered 7 years and $161 million. The framework for future discussion is in place and the Yankees have time to move forward with those discussions while they still have control over Cano. Where Robbie and his team stand on that next step remains to be seen, but the lack of updates since those figures came out suggests a willingness to test the market.
It took a while, but Robinson Cano is finally in the spotlight he deserves as the best player on the Yankees and best player at his position. He's the crown jewel of the 2014 free agent class, the most crucial piece to the Yankees either retooling and trying to stay competitive or going into full rebuild mode, and he's the headline client for a new sports management firm run by one of the most recognizable entertainment celebrities on the planet. What's the next chapter in Robbie's career and does it include pinstripes? Stay tuned this offseason to find out.
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