Robinson Cano absolutely wants to stay in New York, but he's following a script to create the illusion that he has no problem with bolting this winter, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Of course, that doesn't mean that the second baseman is staying put if there is a far more lucrative offer out there for him. However, the free-spending Dodgers might be on the verge of being maxed out, the Cubs aren't spending yet, the Angels are still reeling from the Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton signings, and Sherman hears that it won't be the Nats or Tigers with the winning bid. For now, despite their crowded middle infield, Sherman sees the Rangers as the team to watch. Here's more out of New York..
- There's a pretty wide gap between the Yankees and Cano at the starting point of negotiations as Cano's reps want to use Alex Rodriguez's $300MM+ deal as a starting point while the Yankees see David Wright (eight-year, $138MM extension) as a good comp, writes Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.
- Cano says that he's not ready to start talking about his free agency, writes Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "I know a lot of things are going to come out and say, 'A source, friends of Robbie's and this,' but I know what we're doing and what we're not doing," Cano said over the weekend. "I just want to go on vacation, sit down and enjoy, not be watching the news and everything. Then you're going to go crazy."
- The retirements of Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte underscore the importance of a strong farm system, writes Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. While other clubs, like the Red Sox, have tons of young talent, Madden fears that the Yanks' system is lacking.
