INFANTE TO THE YANKEES?

Free agency is setting in, and now is the time to worry about free-agent gem, Robinson Cano. As of Monday afternoon, the Yankees have extended a qualifying offer to Cano. It is no secret that the Yankees want him back in pinstripes. It is also no secret that Cano made an outlandish request for a10-year contract worth $300 million. And nobody, absolutely no one, is above the team.

A qualifying offer is a 1-year deal for $14.1 million. Cano has until November 11th to decide if he will take the offer. It seems logical, however that he will turn it down. He can easily earn more than that on the open market. Cano will than be free to either work a contract out with the Yankees or sign elsewhere. Ideally, he would sign with the Yankees, but what happens if he doesn't? The Yankees really don't have anyone else to take the star second baseman's place. Our farm system is pretty good, but not yet ready for the majors. Brian Cashman will have to look outside to get some talent to fill the void. Enter Omar Infante.

Infante had a .318 avg over 118 games. He was out for some time due to an ankle injury. He is by no means the player that Cano is. So why is Cashman looking into him? Well there are a few reasons. He is considered to be the second best free agent second baseman on the market. The Tigers did not make him a qualifying offer, so he is free to explore the market. He also wouldn't cost the Yankees anywhere near what Cano will. As I already mentioned, Cano asked for an obscene amount of money. Everyone involved with the Yankees brass, and even a great number of fans can agree that no one, not even Cano, is worth that kind of contract. It is too big a risk.

The hope is that the Yankees can talk Cano, and his agents into a contract that would be mutually beneficial to both parties. I would even risk it to say a 7 or 8-year contract. I absolutely want Cano to get paid his worth, but I do not want the Yankees stuck with other ridiculous contract. If they cannot come to common ground, then we are left with no one to man the position.

It's smart of Cashman to be looking for talent. Even if it is just touching base with agents, and making a few inquiries about players here and there. Too many off seasons the Yankees have spent chasing one player, in hopes that he would be our savor, only to be left with scraps because that player went elsewhere. Remember how Cliff Lee jilted us? Placing all of our proverbial eggs in a single basket, has never worked out well for us. Who knows? Maybe we will go after Infante, maybe we won't. But it is always better well prepared, than left in the dust.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804




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