Cano’s Contract Terms Finalized

From Joel Sherman:

The terms on Robinson Cano’s Yankee contract were finalized in full early tonight, and all that needs to be completed for the deal to be official is a physical that will take place either tomorrow or the next day, The Post has learned.

Cano’s contract guarantees him $30 million for four years, and if both of the options on the deal are exercised, the second baseman will receive $57 million over six years. For Cano, it is financial security now and a chance – even if both options are exercised – to be a free agent in still prime years at age 31.

Cano is due to make $3 million in 2008, $6 million in 2009, $9 million in 2010 and $10 million in 2011. In 2012, Cano has an option for $14 million with a $2 million buyout. If that option is picked up, Cano will have another option in 2013 for $15 million with a $2 million buyout.

It’ll be good to have Cano around for awhile. He’s capable of putting up some phenomenal numbers and I expect him to hit 30 HRs one day (I’ll call it… 30 HR in 2010).

Monday’s Bits: Joba, Eiland, Santana, Cone, Bernie Williams, Everyone Else…

Okay, I have a lot to say for this little bit party. So, let’s get started.

• The Associated Press has a rather misleading article out. The headline is: Joba Chamberlain Could Start Season in the ‘Pen. Thanks for the news AP! Actually, they didn’t provide a definitive answer as to what Joba was doing (starting in the pen or in the rotation), but they did provide us with a lot of nice quotes and information courtesy of pitching coach, Dave Eiland. With inning caps in mind, Eiland stated that they are still throwing around ideas on what to do with Joba (and the others). The report also stated that Joba is currently in Florida practicing (throwing off a mound) with Eiland. Karstens and Hughes are also working with Eiland in Florida, and both have thrown 2 mound sessions. Here are some encouraging words from Eiland regarding his plans for the kids (going into ST).

“You prepare guys and you do the work that you have always done to get them ready to pitch,” Eiland said. “Obviously, they’re pitching at the highest level now, but they can’t be somebody they’re not. So you still prepare them and get them ready to attack hitters with their equipment. The game is still the same. You’re just facing the best of the best now. You make adjustments. You just don’t make any major changes.”

• Next up, Bryan Hoch at the Yankees Website had a nice mailbag this week. In it, he discusses the LF situation for the Yankees. As long as Damon comes into camp in shape, he’ll most likely get the LF spot, simply because he’s better defensively and is needed as a leadoff hitter. Hoch states that Girardi cares about defense, and has stated that defense will effect his decisions when constructing the lineup. Therefore, you have to wonder what happens to Matsui (who’s knee may still be tender?). Girardi’s desire for defense will probably keep Giambi off the field, but in the DH spot, simply because they have to a play a $20 million dollar player. I don’t understand how they can even think about letting Matsui rot on the bench. I’m sure they’re all thinking that Giambi will hurt himself early in the season, but still, you cannot count on this (although it is likely). Why not have Damon play first base? Offensively, he wouldn’t be bad there (if he hits the way he did in 2006) and he played there a bit last year. Or, move Matsui to 1B. You simply can’t have a guy who’s capable of hitting .290/.360/.480 on the bench.
• Hoch also reported that, with Bernie Williams gone, and with Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera following him (in terms of retiring as Yankees), Cashman has stated that he’s going to look into a more concrete manner for retiring players’ numbers (which means Bernie Williams may have to awhile before he sees his number retired). I think all of these guys should have their numbers retired, but, of course, there are only so many numbers that can fit onto a jersey.
• What would a bit party be without Santana talk (great, obviously)? Well, Ken Davidoff says that the Red Sox and Yankees are “all but out of the bidding” for Santana, and that the Mets are optimistic in their pursuit of the lefty ace. With the Yankees and Red Sox fading out, the Mets may even be able to keep their prized prospect, Fernando Martinez.
• Finally, David Cone has been hired by the YES Network to join the broadcast team for about 50 games this season. It’ll be great to hear Cone within a Yankee context, once again. I love the guy, and look forward to hearing what he has to offer.

White Sox to Red Sox

The Red Sox acquired David Aardsma today. He has the stuff to be effective but hasn’t pulled it together at the big league level. Hopefully, he’ll continue on that path in Boston.

Steroids Take a Second Seat to Santana

Honestly, nobody really cares too much about steroids or the Mitchell Report this week. Most baseball fans, well, at least most Yankee/Red Sox/Mets fans, are more interested in the Santana Saga that has been developing over the past few weeks. With a climax in sight, culminating within the next 10 days or so, who really cares about steroids?

Regardless of our lack of interest, some brief news. Roger Clemens has issued a statistical summary of his career (actually it’s long as hell), equipped with data analyses and comparisons of his numbers. This is another attempt to prove his innocence, and show that his increased performance in the later years of his career can be attributed to switching his style and incorporating new methods to his pitching repertoire. Nice to know Roger, but guess what? Nobody cares. Go to Congress, clear the air, and that’s it.

Next up, Chucky Knoblauch was found and agreed to speak to Congress about the Mitchell Report’s allegations voluntarily. I love how they call it “voluntarily” when the man had a subpoena coming his way (which was withdrawn) and would have been crucified by baseball fans and government officials for not attending.

Santana Update

So, it appears as though we are rolling into the final week of the Johan Santana Sweepstakes (I mean it, I promise). All three teams, the Mets, Red Sox and Yankees, are still believed to be in the competition for Santana’s services, although most sources seem to indicate that the Mets are currently the front-runner.

Since it is the last week (presumably), the three teams are expected to put up their best packages and let them marinate for the Twins. Judging from Brian Cashman’s recent comments about keeping his young pitchers, it does not appear likely that Phil Hughes will be included in any package for the left-handed ace.

Money could obviously still play a factor in all of this. Remember, even if a trade does occur, Santana would have to agree on an extension with the team he was traded to, and it is believe that he wants around 6-years at $150 million (25 per). The Twins still have their 5-year offer on the table ($13.25 next year plus $20 million per for the next 4 years), but Santana is probably thinking that deal is C.C. Sabathia money. Johan could probably earn well over $100 million on the open market.

At the end of the week, I think it’s either a play to the Mets or Yankees. Cashman’s comments along with Steinbrenner’s recent remarks seem to demonstrate that the Yankees will keep what they have and work with it. The Mets are in dire straits now that Erik Bedard has pretty much moved on to Seattle (not confirmed) and I think they’ll ultimately pull off a deal that will give them the dominant starter they’ve needed.

A-Rod Keeps Rebuilding

 

Ever since A-Rod’s opt-out controversy and his subsequent return to the Yankees, he’s been working hard to rebuild his reputation and reestablish the goodwill he had earned with the fans in 2007. He’s also trying to establish himself as an iconic fixture for the next 10 years in a city that treated him like an unwanted stepchild.

At the NY baseball writers’ dinner, he had this to say:

“I’m very glad to be back here for 10 years,” Rodriguez said. “I want to thank New York, for a lot of reasons. New York makes you do a lot of things. It makes you think. It humbles you. It makes you look in the mirror and ask yourself all the tough questions. And if not, the reporters will ask them.”

This statement is very abstract, yet it’s also very telling. It demonstrates a level of comfort and understanding that has always seemed out of A-Rod’s reach. He just signed the biggest contract in baseball history (again) and he also did it in a very public manner (following all of the Boras controversy). Therefore, any indication of a clear head–which I believe we see from this quote–is generally a good sign for 2008 (and the future).