"YANKEE LEGEND OR BASEBALL LEGEND?" IS A DUMB PITCH

That title is a quote from the Seattle Mariners pitching Robinson Cano.  I'm convinced now that Cano will not being going to Seattle, because that quote is ridiculous and I'm assuming any smart adult can see through just how ridiculous that statement is.  Anyway... more on that in a moment.

If you happen to live under a rock, and I know some of you do, be sure to read  HARD TALK FOR ROBINSON CANO and  NOW CANO'S IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, brought to you by us.  Thanks to the BYB readers, you have catapulted us into the mainstream for the past 24 hours and it's glorious.  Thanks for reading, thanks for the support.  We try to do our best here and will continue.  Bleeding Yankee Blue is clearly running with the Ellsbury - Cano saga... that's because it IS a saga.  It's the new soap opera in Major League Baseball.  Alex Rodriguez is finally relaxing somewhere...  and Bud Selig is pissed about that.

Yup, we've reached an interesting off-season this year, haven't we?.  The Yankees are spending like crazy. As I told my BYB colleagues... "this is Steinbrenner crazy."  But, I think I like it.

(In Photo: Anthony McCarron)
Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News is quickly ranking in my top 5 of sports writers.  It was a tough haul to get here, but he has and this afternoon he had a piece that I found both fascinating and slightly silly.  The silly part has nothing to do with McCarron.  It has to do with his "source", who, if you break it down, actually says nothing of substance.  Anyway, don't blame McCarron for that. This Cano story has legs, and you gotta get any nugget possible to get your reads... even I get that.  I tip my cap to Anthony.  His piece touches on everything going on right this moment with Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners.

Check it out. McCarron writes: " Be a Yankee legend or a baseball legend? That, according to a baseball source, is the pitch the Mariners made to Robinson Cano's agents last week when Cano's reps traveled to Seattle for a meeting that clearly opens up a potential landing spot for the All-Star second baseman. The Mariners are going after Cano 'guns-a-blazing,' the source said."

First off, let's stop right there and break down that first sentence.  "Be a Yankee legend of a baseball legend..."   THAT'S THEIR PITCH?  Now look, if I'm 6 years old and I'm walking into the Seattle Mariners office and their asking me that question, I'm sure I sign right there.  Baseball, ALL OF BASEBALL is much bigger to a 6 year old than the New York Yankees. But as an adult who is already a top ranked second baseman with the Yanks, does that pitch really matter?  He will be a baseball legend anyway... even if he IS with the Yankees. In other words, Cano is already on his way, a move to Seattle won't make a difference. Now, I ask you, am I just too smart to figure this out or am I missing something?

 There's more from McCarron.  He writes: "The Yankees are set firm on a deal worth $165-170 million over seven years while Cano's latest demand was for a nine-year pact worth $260 million that also includes a $28 million vesting option for a 10th year.

Either way, the Mariners and Yankees are clearly the two most interested teams in Cano right now.

The Mariners are trying to woo Cano by telling him he'd be their biggest star – obviously – and pointing out that if he succeeded in bringing back a winning team, the M's could bloom like the popular Seahawks

'It's a city dying for a winner,' the source said. 'The fan base is rabid there. If Robinson Cano goes to Seattle, he won't be able to walk around in the city.'"

OK.  We need to break down this latest quote. Here it is again: "The fan base is rabid there. If Robinson Cano goes to Seattle, he won't be able to walk around in the city."

What does that even mean? Fans are always rabid in their own cities because their teams, be it the Angels, the Steelers, the Yankees and even the Mariners. Fans love the wins and they hate the losses, like millions of fans that love their teams.  That's common sense.  And secondly, Cano won't be able to walk around in the city of Seattle if he goes there? Really? Guess what? Cano can't walk around the Bronx, New York City, Tampa already.  I have 1 question... who is this source? Abby Normal?

In fairness to McCarron, over all, his piece is quite good. He goes on to break down the offer from the Mariners and discusses the Cano reps, where Jay-Z is and will be and who's having what discussions:

"Neither Jay Z, one of Cano's agents, or Cano was present when the sides met....it remains to be seen if the M's offer makes him want to be the guy who gets Seattle its first World Series.  'It's going to be up to him to decide,' the source said. 'How about winning a couple championships in Seattle? How about that being your legacy? Win there and he's a baseball legend.'"

Now that last statement is not true.  Unless what this source is claiming is that if Cano can literally carry the Mariners on his back for 162 games and win a championship or 2, he'll be a true legend because of it. But I still don't get it. And I have news for you. I love Robinson Cano, Mr. Source, but there is 1 thing missing in your scenario... Hustle.

Now New York is used to Cano and we love Cano manning second base,  but hustle has always been an issue.  You are assuming, Mr. Source, that Cano can be a "Captain", a leader for the Mariners... something Yankee fans are still waiting for.  Now, we put up with the non-hustle because he's a dynamic ballplayer and he knows it, but 25 guys win a championship, not 1.  

God...I hope Cano doesn't fall for that ridiculous "Yankee legend or baseball legend" line.. It will just add to his botched free agency... won't it?

Anyway, I truly appreciate McCarron's piece.  He does a good job, he always does, but this source for today's article needs to take a hike... the bites are weak.

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