Monday, November 11, 2013

Robinson Cano has officially turned down his qualifying offer from the Yankees, reports Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. Cano is now a free-agent, and this comes as no surprise as he is looking for a monster long-term deal.

Turning down the offer doesn't mean that Cano is leaving the Yankees, but it does mean that if he leaves New York to sign somewhere else, the Yankees will receive a draft pick from the team that signs him.

Cano and the Yankees haven't had any recent contract talks, and he also hasn't received any contract offers from any other teams in the league.

"He’s earned the right to be a free agent," Yankees General Manger Cashman said. "He’s a premier player. And given that status that he carries, those type of players dictate the dance steps. We’ll do the dance as long as we can . . . The music hasn’t even started yet."

According to many reports, Cano asked the Yankees for a 10-year, $350 million contract back during the All-Star Break, but that's obviously much more money, and years, than the Yankees would be willing to offer him. Even though he's the Yankees' best player, $305 million is just too much money, and recent contracts with Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols have helped shy the Yanks away from handing out another 10-year deal.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Magic Johnson said back in October that his team wouldn't have the money to sign Cano, especially once they give Clayton Kershaw the mega contract extension he’s expected to get.

The Texas Rangers could be suitors for Cano. Though they already have a packed infield with Ian Kinsler, Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus, who signed an 8-year extension with the club earlier in the season, but it’s possible that the Rangers’ front office could move one or two of those players to make room for Cano.

It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see the Rangers go hard after Cano. The front office and ownership group might be looking to make some big moves this offseason after twice losing in the World Series, and fading late in the season in the last two years.

Cano's rejection news is coming almost a couple hours after Curtis Granderson told the Yankees that he was reject the qualifying offer extended to him. Hiroki Kuroda is the last Yankee yet to make a decision.

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