ROBINSON'S RETURN?

NOT BLOODY LIKELY! Come on.  Please. Let’s not do this one.  Robinson Cano is gone like Tuesday in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song! He isn’t coming back.  Yes! The Yankees need a big bat and it would be great to have a slick fielding 2nd baseman to boot…but it won’t be Cano.

Even if Seattle ate his whole contract (WHICH THEY WILL NOT) Robinson is not going to be back in the Bronx in the home pinstripes.

(In Photo: Aaron Hicks)
What is happening in the Yankee Universe?  Cash shipped Murph for a platoon outfielder.  Okay, I’m not sold on that one yet.  I take it as a slight against the Irish…I’m kidding…kind of.  And he sent Pirela to Southern California to be covered by Champ Kind.  Not a huge loss there.

Jose was good…not great.  Why did Brian do these things?  I don’t know.  Maybe he doesn’t like Jose and John Ryan much, and thought he would send them packing to show them he’s the big dog in the yard.  Maybe he had a lousy lunch and took it out on two back ups.  Maybe he couldn’t access his Fan Duel account and decided to make a trade out of boredom.  Like I said, I DON’T KNOW WHY.  Is it because he has a grand plan to trade Gardy, Miller and possibly Jacoby to reunite with a Jay Z client who never felt “The Love” from the New York Yankees?  I seriously doubt it.

Cano’s deal in the Emerald City is EXACTLY like most of us thought it’d be.  He makes a lot of money, he plays in an unfriendly for Hitters Park, he had a mysterious food allergy (OK, I didn’t see that one coming) and he has stopped the organization from doing anything else…and they have to pay him until he is 41.  Brilliant!

The Creatures BOOED him.  Yankee fans turned their backs, and rightly so, after that “No Love” nonsense.  Robbie is a great baseball player, with a 2-cent head and starry eyes.  He’d rather be the Jay Z client making random appearances at the Grammies then the next Yankee Great.  That’s it.  There is no more to his story.  I don’t dislike Cano.  I thought he was an amazing player for the Bombers, but those days are over now.  He is Seattle’s 2nd baseman and will be for a while…or at least until picking up the tab on his deal becomes more digestible.

I am all for another Robbie to play 2nd next year.  Give Ref a real shot.  Yeah, he’ll make errors…like a kid normally does.  Sure, there will be growing pains.  But from what I’ve seen Double R might just have what it takes to play there everyday.

I’m not in Cashman’s office.  I don’t know what is going on in the GM’s mind, but I don’t believe that after all the garbage they went through watching Cano split town that they’ll break their necks bringing him back.

NO CANO DONTCHA KNOW!  To quote Garth Algar, “GIVE IT UP, MAN!!  LIVE IN THE NOW!!”

** Not my favorite band, but not my favorite topic of discussion either.  Our Robbie’s gone with the wind…**



 

--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21





You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

DUMB & LONELY IN SEATTLE

Money doesn't buy happiness. You don't believe me? Ask millionaire Robinson Cano, the guy with talent and money and nothing much else in Seattle.  Every Yankee fan called it when he signed his mega deal with the Mariners.  It's typical selfishness when it comes to free agency...Greed heads go for the money and never think anything through. It was crystal clear to you and I and thousands of other Yankee fans who were called "losers" when we bad mouthed Cano for darting for the money.  Well... now there is rapid speculation "Cano's no longer happy in Seattle" and "Cano is sad about his time with the Mariners."  Here's the thing, that speculation was predicted last season.  We all knew the it was a dumb deal.  We all knew 10 years was a long time, and I for one suggested then that that deal with Cano and the Mariners wasn't about Cano at all... he was just the puppet. It was about Jay-Z making a major deal for his Sports agency.  Read OH, I GET IT. THIS IS ABOUT JAY-Z, NOT CANO. That was from last November 2013. I wrote then:

"Over the past 48 hours, this “Deal” that Robinson Cano wants, isn’t about Robinson Cano at all in my opinion.  This is about brand new Sports Agent Jay-Z trying to make a name for himself. Not as a rap mogul or fashion designer or entrepreneur. No... he's done that already. This is about Jay-Z making a huge splash as a Sports Agent."

Cano was massaged and fell for it, not realizing it at the time, but he is now and it may be too late.

Yup, I just went for the throat; he's dumb and he's all alone in Seattle.  Seattle had a plan, to "bring a championship" to Seattle.  A Championship? Really? Cano's no Ken Griffey Jr.  Let's get that straight.  1 man does not a championship make... and Cano is not that franchise player.  He wasn't in New York and he sure as hell isn't out West.  I have to laugh because if he wanted to be "top dog", he could have been in New York. All he needed to do was sign a modest contract, stick around till Jeter retired and he'd be the guy.  We all saw that... not Cano though.

Now look, I can't pinpoint the speculation that Cano is truly unhappy in Seattle. I can tell by his body language.  He doesn't look like he wants to be there.  Then again, the guy never hustled, so he never looks like he even cares about baseball. But I've noticed the guy seems uninterested, especially the last 2 games we've played them.  Plus, couple that with a BronxPinstripes.com report that says this:

"Sources, including Michael Kay on his radio show on Monday, are speculating that Cano, just a year and a few months into his mega contract with the M’s, is unhappy in Seattle. The reasons include the lack of a Dominican population in Seattle, which is about as far away from the DR as you can get in the continental US. Because of their remote location the Mariners have longer travel than any team in the league (their closest road trip is still 2 hours by plane)..."

Now take that speculation with a grain of salt.  There is not 1 major publication reporting that story, just Bronx Pinstripes. Again, it's speculation from them. But wait... there's more...

The New York Post has a great nugget suggesting that maybe being is Seattle is "Jason Bay-ing" Cano. Interesting:

"'He’s a proud guy and when things got off a little slow for him, it’s easy to press, even out here in Seattle,’ Mariners hitting coach and ex-Met Howard Johnson said before the Yankees crushed Felix Hernandez and the Mariners, 7-2, Monday night at Safeco Field.

Hojo believes Cano can use the entire field a bit more, the mindset Cano had his first year as a Mariner. Sometimes, he said, hitters get a little pull conscious.

'I think when you are used to hitting the ball out of the ballpark, you had the same thing with Jason Bay in New York,' Johnson said. 'Guys want to hit the ball out, they got numbers and stuff, people expect that and the human-nature side, you start to try to go for that as opposed to doing the things you did when you were successful: That’s be a good hitter first and home runs will come later.’

 Bay was a disaster with the Mets."

Whatever it is, the piling on has started.  Yankee fans are either smiling because of Cano's failures or feeling bad for him.  Me? I never hated Robinson Cano. But I don't like the greed aspect of the game and it's been going on forever.  Sure, I'm picking on Robbie alittle bit, but I'm trying to make a point here. Money doesn't always buy you happiness, and while Kevin Kernan of the Post writes in fairness that "...Cano has no second thoughts. He insists he made the right decision to come to the Mariners last year,"  I'm not buying it.  If you can't play well, it will get to a player. You not only start to beat yourself up, you start to blame everything around you.

Robinson Cano is NOT a .246 hitter... but he may be now and if that's the case... have a fun 9 more years in Seattle.

Hey, that's my take anyway.

Ad:
SAVE UP TO $200 On Happy Father's Day-Signed Balls from Eli Manning, Mariano Rivera, and Pedro Martinez, Only at SteinerSports.com!
 
You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

CC IS "ON TO THE NEXT ONE"

I very rarely stroll through Twitter. Maybe once a day to reply to tweets, or to post stories. Today has been a slow day and I probably have spent way too much time on Twitter. Just as I have decided to get off, I see a Twit pic from CC Sabathia. He is happily sitting next to Jay-Z, signing a stack of papers. The caption reads "#RocNationSports La Familia."

#RocNationSports La Familia pic.twitter.com/DvFKr3PpN7
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) January 17, 2014

Of course, this sent me running off to Casey to see if he could help me confirm it. I absolutely adore CC, and his beautiful wife Amber Sabathia. I think my fellow BYB writers will agree with me when I say that they are one of our absolute favorite couples around here.

CC just looks like the kind of guy that's really cool, and laid-back, and an awesome friend to have. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. Add to the fact that he and Amber make a beautiful family unit and there is serious admiration there. Family is important to me, and they make an awesome team together.

But… Roc Nation? I won't lie, I am cringing. Remember when Robinson Cano signed? Everyone was happy because Jay-Z's love for this city would keep Cano in pinstripes. I had my doubts, and unfortunately, I was right. So this news left me feeling a little like Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play. "Et tu, Brute?"

CC has in fact signed with Roc Nation Sports. He has admittedly said that the Yankees legacy is important to him, and that is wonderful. But Roc Nation? Okay, I'm done dwelling on it. I sincerely hope that this signing brings CC everything he could possibly want in his career. Hopefully that includes retiring in pinstripes.

Oh... and for everyone that didn't understand the "on to the next one" reference... Here you go...

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

JAY-Z IS NOT STEVE BARTMAN: A FAN'S TAKE

Earlier this week, Ike Dimitriadis wrote a piece titled: JAY-Z: THE YANKEES STEVE BARTMAN. The reviews were mixed, but it was insanely popular. But in the spirit of fan fairness, I wanted to present another side to it.  Enter Lisa Bernikowicz, who took issue with our piece.  We here at Bleeding Yankee Blue are for the fans... and so, here's Lisa's take. It's quite different than Ike's.  I thank you Lisa... 

Here it goes Ladies and Gentlemen. -C

If Jay-Z is the Yankees' Steve Bartman, then what's next? Is Robinson Cano the Yankees version of "the Curse of the Billy Goat"?  That second sentence sounds truly absurd, and yes, there is no real correlation between the two. Look, it's just as absurd to the Jay-Z / Bartman comparison. 

Jay-Z has been a loyal die-hard Yankee fan for his entire life. Steve Bartman is a loyal die hard Cubs fan as well. But that's where the comparison ends.  Steve Bartman would bring his radio to games and listen to the play-by-play as he sat in the stands straight out down the 3rd base line. These are tickets he had always had and were some of the best seats in the house. Jay-Z, I believe, sits in the very expensive "Legends" seats near home plate in Yankee Stadium. Now here's the difference...

Steve Bartman  was at a game where the Chicago Cubs were on the verge of going to the World Series for the first time since 1948. He reached over, he deflected a foul ball at the NLCS in 2003 and ten years later, that man is still the pariah of Chicago and Wrigley Field.  Steve Bartman had to leave town. He went into hiding. He had to give up his tickets and his Cubs.  Jay-Z on the other hand, won't have to do any of that.

Many believe that that foul ball defection spelt the demise of the Cubs and has become yet another curse to the organization. Chicago fans have been talking about this since 2003.  As a matter of fact, the fans are still talking about "the Curse of the Billy Goat" from 1948 as well. Even Mark Grace referenced the story one year ago on the Jay Leno Show. This is what Cubs fans do. Whether it's because it's something for them to hang onto and blame their lack of winning a World Series since 1908, who knows, but it's there.  

Look, in 10 years or probably even 5, Yankee fans will not be sitting around discussing Robinson Cano OR Jay-Z and how that ONE loss of a player is our curse. In other words, this signing of Cano to Seattle, will not be our demise as Yankee fans!  What we will more likely be saying is "Hey the Yankees are playing the Mariners tonight. What's their lineup? Does Robinson Cano still play for them? Haven't heard much about him in years."  With luck on our side, we will have won #28 and he will not have seen a World Series since his signing.  We Yankee fans won't be sitting on corners selling shirts saying "The Curse of Jay-Z. Re-sign Cano so we can go back to the post-season!"  As Yankee fans, that is not how we roll, nor will it ever be! 

The final comparison that was referred, is that Steve Bartman had to have security escort him out and that Jay-Z will need that the next time he comes to Yankee Stadium. Forget that.  Jay-Z is a multi-millionaire. They guy has his own security, of course.  Steve Bartman? That guy has never been heard from again. But Jay-Z we'll unfortunately see again. 

Robinson Cano will become one of my mom's funny one-liners. She says,  "Robinson Cano. When did he start playing for Seattle and why would he leave New York?"

Yeah... that's about right. 

--Lisa Bernikowicz
BYB Guest Writer




Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

JAY-Z: THE YANKEES STEVE BARTMAN

Jay-Z, one of the most popular New York institutions, and one of the most successful hip-hop artists ever, finds himself atop the NYC’s Most Hated list. After the signing of his client Robinson Cano by the Seattle Mariners, the hate is in high-gear and aimed directly at Cano and at Jay-Z, deserved or not. I say that because it is unclear who was making the unreasonable demands for cash – Jay-Z or Cano or both – though the deal has both of their names on it. After reaching an $80M-wide stalemate with the Yankees, Jay-Z took his client to Seattle and was sent away empty-handed, allegedly because of unreasonable demands. One can only imagine the panic that ensued, and how flexible Roc Nation’s prime client became, when he and his agent chose to take the $240M over 10 years.

You have to wonder if in the middle of the madness of these negotiations, maybe Jay-Z lost perspective for a moment. In the hours after the contract announcement, I thought of a guy who in the heat of the moment, lost perspective, and now lives in infamy amongst the fans with whom he felt camaraderie.

I am talking about Steve Bartman. Bartman, for those that do not remember, is the man who interfered with a fly ball in foul territory during the Cubs/Marlins playoff series in 2003. He has not been heard from since his apology message to Cubs fans soon after the game.


Jay-Z is a lifelong Yankees fan, and Bartman a lifelong Cubs fan. Bartman was a typical fan who instinctively reached out for a foul ball hit near him, just like any of us would. Jay-Z, as a typical sports agent would, got what he felt was the best deal for him and his client. Blame was squarely placed on Bartman for the Cubs’ ultimate demise in the 2003, even though he had nothing to do with the epic failures on the field and in the dugout by the Cubs on that night.

Blame is being placed, at least in part, on Jay-Z for what may have been a prima donna client recklessly insisting on stratospheric dollar amounts. The fact that he did not put a gun to Cano’s head and make him sign a contract is beside the point. So is the fact that this was clearly Cano’s decision. Jay-Z is still a target of wrath. This is not to say that I am defending Jay-Z, but just that the final decision rested with Cano and that Jay-Z’s influence is unclear. What is clear is that there will be a reaction, directed at Jay-Z.

Unlike Bartman, Jay-Z is not going to disappear and go into hiding. He is the owner of a multi-million dollar media empire, and his face will continue to be out there. Nevertheless, here is one final parallel between him and Steve Bartman. Soon after the incident at Wrigley Field, we saw security personnel surround Bartman and help him leave the venue as beer and food was raining down on him. It will be interesting to see the security details surrounding Jay-Z the next time he sets foot in Yankee Stadium, and the fan reaction as his image is put up on the 6000 square foot Diamond Vision screen behind center field.

My guess is that it will not be pretty.


 
--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

   

The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

BREAKING: CANO IS SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the talks between Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners have fallen through.

He writes: "According to two sources briefed on the negotiations, talks between the Mariners — the free agent second baseman’s lone stalking horse — and Cano’s camp — led by rapper-turned super-agent Jay Z and CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen — collapsed after Jay Z overplayed his hand during Thursday night’s negotiating session.

Cano and his entourage arrived in Seattle with what sources described as basically an eight-year, $200 million deal in hand along with assurances that Seattle would go to nine years and $225 million, a figure confirmed late Thursday night by the Daily News.

But when Jay Z then upped the ante and demanded 10 years and $252 million — the same deal Alex Rodriguez took more than a decade ago when he left the Mariners for the Rangers —  Mariners chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln apparently “exploded,” according to one of the sources, ending the meeting."

Now look, I don't like to pat myself on the back, but did I tell you? DID BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE F**KING TELL YOU? This isn't about Robinson Cano, This is about Jay-Z trying to be a big dog in a field he has no experience in.  Read OH I GET IT. THIS IS ABOUT JAY-Z, NOT CANO, You will learn something. Now, you have to assume that the report from Mark Feinsand is true. There are conflicting reports that the talks are still on or not.  I'm sticking with Feinsand here.

Now look, if true, let me say this... I don't have to be in the negotiation room with this guy.  I know what I see, it's common sense.  Robinson Cano doesn't have a cue on how to do this and he hired a rap mogul to handle him. Bad move. Jay-Z has been exposed. We all know it now.

Now I'm eager to see Cano come home to New York now... tail between his legs and asking Hal to give him that 7 year $175 million offer.  It's the right thing to do.   

 Then, he needs to do 2 things on his list to get back in our good graces:

1. Fire Jay-Z.  I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Scott Boras.  Boras won't ruin reputations, he does his thing and gets the deal done.   Go away Jay... you don't have the best interest in your client.., you have the best interest in you and you've managed to destroy this guy's rep in the Bronx. Trust me, you didn't make a Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can. You never will.

2. Cano needs to rebuild the tarnished rep he currently has.  Greed kills and all ya'll who told me that Cano should fight for his worth missed one important part of this puzzle... he's worth 7 years / $175 million... not 9 / $225.Stay tuned... this soap opera is fascinating.

Right now ARod is probably illegally gambling, banging blondes in a hotel bathroom and on a PEDs binge and no one cares... I kid of course. Alex, it's a joke...chill.

The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

HARD TALK FOR ROBINSON CANO

Right around the time that Robinson Cano dropped Scott Boras, and got on board with Roc Nation Sports, I thought to myself "This may not end as well as everyone seems to think it will." Granted, Creative Artist Agency is actually in charge of his representation, and they have plenty of experience with sports clientele, but there was something off about the whole thing. Firstly, with Cano being the first to sign with Roc Nation, the goal would be a big contract to put up the illusion of success. Secondly, and the most important, what experience does Rocafella have in the representation of sports athletes? Yes, Jay-Z and company have been successful within the music industry, but sports is a whole different ball game.

Cano is currently asking $252 million over 9 years, with a $28 million option for the 10th year. While not the initial asking price of $300 million over 10 years, it's not far off, totaling $280 million over 10 years. Cano is NOT worth it. My opinion of course. Better yet, no one is worth it. No one is above their team, and no one is a must sign at all costs. The Yankees have already vowed not to go above the $175 million they are currently offering him and it seems like they're sticking to that.

Now, I love Cano. I want to see him in pinstripes again next season. But I do not love him enough to think that the Yankees should throw money at him to get it done. The Yankees have a clear goal. They want to get below that luxury tax line. I wrote READING THE FINE PRINT IN THE LUXURY TAX INCENTIVE months back explaining what the Yankees are trying to accomplish and why.  If you haven't read it, you should take a moment to do so so that you can fully understand the logic behind it. And truthfully, it is logical. It is smart money management on the Yankees parts, even if we can't see it. 

Add to it, the ridiculous amount he is requesting, and the signing of Jacoby Ellsbury, and it's safe to say the Cano situation is cluster fucked!  Don't tell on me, I said the F. Why? This is crazy.  Look, the Ellsbury signing at $153 million over 7 yrs is a clear message to Cano. Casey wrote that in BRONX SHOCKER: ELLSBURY TO WEAR PINSTRIPES. Either get with the program, or pack your stuff and get gone! The big contract is not happening. Not on the Yankees dime, not anymore.

The Seattle Mariners seem to be willing to give him that $200+ million contract. I wouldn't shed a single tear watching him leave if that happens. He would have brought it upon himself. I am not a supporter of big contracts. Never was. It's a risk that I believe no team should make. It hasn't worked out very well in recent years. Think of Josh Hamilton, and Albert Pujols. Yes, I know it is an athlete-by-athlete case. I know the results can be different, but it is a risk, and really, why chance it? I think the Yankees are being generous in offering Cano $175 million over 7 years. $25 million a year is no small potatoes. It is reasonable, and Cano should snatch at it before he misses the opportunity. 

The bottom line here is that Cano is looking very greedy. That's the perception. It isn't about the love of the sport at this point. It isn't about him getting paid his worth at this point. It is about getting enough money to roll around naked in. Greed! Plain and simple. And frankly, New York fans do not respond well to greed. Ask your teammate Alex Rodriguez how well that has worked out for him. I'm a big believer in protecting your reputation and your legacy. How people view you, and what you leave behind are directly effected by the actions you take. Be a man or woman of integrity and honor. Exhibiting greed effectively kills both your reputation, and your legacy. So, what's it worth to you, Robbie?  Right now you have two choices:

Chase the money, or remember that the love of the game above all else made you what you are today.

What legacy will you leave behind, Robbie? What's it worth?

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804



The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

OH, I GET IT. THIS IS ABOUT JAY-Z, NOT CANO

It’s becoming increasingly clear that either Robinson Cano is very greedy and wants every dollar he can possibly get, or he's just really dumb and has no idea he’s being manipulated.  Don’t know what I mean? Keep reading…

Over the past 48 hours, this “Deal” that Robinson Cano wants, isn’t about Robinson Cano at all in my opinion.  This is about brand new Sports Agent Jay-Z trying to make a name for himself. Not as a rap mogul or fashion designer or entrepreneur. No... he's done that already. This is about Jay-Z making a huge splash as a Sports Agent. After all, the timing is right.  He’s got the biggest player in free agency right now. He's trying to build up Robinson Cano as the next Michael Jordan and couple that with him suggesting Cano needs $310 million for 10 years and his “secret” meeting with the Mets for 2 hours the other night. It's all coming together for me.  Sure, we can sit here and bash Robinson Cano has being a greed head all we want, and maybe he is, but this is about the sports agent that Cano hired.  All Jay-Z needs to do is stroke Cano and tell him how valuable he is and how "Some team will pay that money for you" and in his first real free agency, Robinson Cano could buy it easily. Why? Because this is the big time.

The next few weeks we are going to see the media, and fans turn on Robinson Cano. They will see dollar signs in his eyes, whether he realizes it or not.  Why? Because at the end of the day, if Jay Z gets this deal done, he will have accomplished yet another huge goal in his career.  Jay-Z tackled the other mediums, and now it's time to be on top in the Sports world, be it 1 client or hundreds, it really doesn't matter. Because if Jay-Z can land Cano on the Mets or the Phillies or the Royals, it's about Jay-Z crafting the hugest deal ever for an athlete and Cano's name will be tarnished.  But it won't matter at that point, because Cano and Z and all the rest of them will be rolling around in money.  It's about the mighty dollar after all, and baseball is a business... I need to keep reminding myself of that.  Loyalty really doesn't matter... not in free agency.

And let's review that "Secret" meeting with the Mets by the way.  The New York media is smart to put that on the cover.  It sold a ton of papers today I'm sure.  That story was brought to us by 2 guys I have tremendous respect for as writers, Ken Davidoff and Dan Martin of the New York Post. But let’s not make it seem more dramatic than it was.  It was a meeting,  not a "secret" meeting… we know about it.  It’s no secret, it's drama. 

That’s press manipulation as well. All that headline does is piss off Yankee fans.  Don’t worry though, Cano’s already pissed off the fans with his heavy demand. Davidoff and Martin are just doing their job.

In the end, Cano needs a good, stern talking to. He needs to open his eyes and realize what is happening. Sure, being financially sound is what anyone in America wants.  The idea of never to having to work again, to create comfort for your family, it's the greatest thing in the world.  Security.  But I also believe in reputation.  The longer this draws out, the worse Cano will look whether he deserves it or not.  The media feeds off each other...and the fans will get pissed.

@AndrewMarchand greed kills. Love the guy, but that price tag don't look good.
— Bleeding Yankee Blue (@BleednYankeeBlu) November 19, 2013

Me personally, I don't care for greed.  I tweeted that to Andrew Marchand of ESPN today.  It changes a person.  It changes people's feelings of you.  Now, whether or not Cano deserves it, well, you can be your own judge.  I personally stick with someone like Wally Matthews of ESPN, 7 years tops for Cano.  That's enough time for him to prove he's a leader, win a few championships and be in pinstripes where he belongs. He also gets rich. Not $300 million rich, but rich.

@BleednYankeeBlu i've been writing for months that i'd go no more than 7
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) November 19, 2013

Look, I have always felt that Cano is a dynamic second baseman. He's one of the best in Yankeeland ever and by far, the best in free agency.  Every team will be interested. But in the end, Cano needs to open his eyes, come out of the clouds and get away from Jay-Z for a while and chat over coffee with good old mom and dad. Parents ground a child.  I believe that's important in this scenario. Call me silly, I'll tell you you're wrong.

True, I don't like Robinson Cano's non-hustle, but I genuinely like Cano.  Sure, sometimes I wish he'd grow up, and sure, I'd love for him to actually look like he's trying out there, but the reality is, he's talented and he knows it.  If he truly believes he deserves $310 million, well, good for him I guess, but I just don't see it.  Instead I see a lost boy being steered toward the amusement park, when he probably should have gone right home.  Because this whole thing is alittle too much for me to understand.  How do you walk away from a franchise like the New York Yankees? Should you if your Robinson Cano, or should you stick around, at a reasonable rate and mature and become a leader? Is it about the money or is it about the game?  Sure, it may be hard work to "Step up" and be a leader, but plenty have done it before him.  Derek Jeter, Ron Guidry, Mickey Mantle.

The Yankees have always had leaders and Cano can be one, but first, he needs to think for himself.  And you know what? I don't think he is... I think Jay-Z is driving this train, and Cano is going along, naive and clueless for the ride. I hope I'm wrong.

We have a great piece coming out soon by Mike O'Hara that you're going to love about Robinson Cano... and believe it or not, it stars Dustin Pedroia... stay tuned here at Bleeding Yankee Blue for that.

The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

IT'S MORE THAN THE ROBINSON CANO / JAY Z CONNECTION

Leave it to ESPN to miss the entire point of why the "Robinson Cano leaving Scott Boras" story is so important to Yankee fans.  It's being reported by ESPN that: Cano leaves Boras for Jay Z.  Read HERE. Sure it's partially right, but Cano is leaving Boras for CAA, or the Creative Artists Agency... an agency that Jay Z has formed an "alliance" with. 

The real story for us Yankee fans is that Robinson Cano is leaving Scott Boras, end of story.  It's the same Scott Boras who has pitted players against teams for years just so his clients, and his own pocket, can get the best money possible. In the end, it doesn't matter if Cano goes to the New York Yankees or the Phoenix Clowns to Scott... as long as Boras gets paid, that seems to be all that matters to him.

Truth be told, I'm thrilled that Boras and Cano have separated (although, Boras claims he hasn't heard from Cano yet.)  That's the big story.   Now I guess we can wonder if Jay Z is connected in some capacity, will that help Cano stay with the Yankees?

I see Boras shaking his fist right now yelling... "...and I would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!"

Carry on...

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WATCHA WANNA SEE ON YOUR GREEN SCREEN?

Thinking about the upcoming season gets me pumped up for the sights and sounds of the ballpark.  And watching the television coverage in HD when I can’t get to the game at the stadium makes me think about what we, as fans, want to see and should see from our cozy seats at home.  The director makes that call, but with all of the shots of beautiful women, adorable kids, and face painted idiots, do we really need that kind of coverage?  Then, those shots are played again, and again on ESPN and they take away from the real coverage- the thrill of the game.  So as the announcers replay the highlights of the day, I ask you, what do you want to see on your green screen this season?

My green screen would look like this:  I would see Phil Hughes strike out 15 to 20 a game!  My 15-year-old son says as I write this, “now Mom, that’s just a bit far-fetched, don’t you think?”  I say no.  We pay him to strike hitters out, not to be a drama-queen on the mound.  The side stories and booing of fans take away from the game and if Phil and the rest of the pitching staff can do their job, there would be no time for the director to veer off to the ridiculous fans or for Sterling to tell another story about why CC is not at his best today or why David Robertson isn’t ready for the task.  On the green screen, behind Bob Lorenz, should be a victorious Hughes who rocked the house that night!  I want to see Hughes’ concentration, his focus, his drive.

I want to see Jeter’s movement to the ball and Teixeira’s stretch for the out.  I want the director to catch my thoughts- to cover the game I want to see, but at the same time, I want the Yankees to perform the way I visualize them to perform my head. 

As a coach for my son’s little league team several years ago, my motto was “everybody hits!”  And I want to see that.  I want to see real, old time slugging.  I want to hear the crack of the bat as Youkilis drives the ball deep.  I want feel the breeze as Grandy slides into home.

The shots should be vivid, the shots should keep the game moving like they do in my head.  Different angles, richer, more interesting shots, behind the scenes audio and chants from the Yankee dugout.  They are all there, but unfortunately they get lost in the coverage, in the same boring shots and in the babbling banter in the press box.

Now I am not suggesting that we go all Jay-Z NBA 2K13, where “Jay-Z's role represents a unique fusion of basketball, music, art and entertainment, and illustrates the evolution of 'NBA 2K' into something much bigger than simply the best basketball video game series ever made," according to an article in the Hollywood Report (HERE), but I am saying that my green screen has more creativity.  It fuses the entire fan experience- the explosive energy of the being there. 

So as we enter spring training and our Yankees work hard to hit more, pitch better, and excite the fans at the ballpark, I am looking for more at home too.  I want more from the coverage, more from the highlights and more creative angles and authentic audio!  No nonsense, just game play.  Bring it on! What’s on your green screen this season?

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND II

If you missed it, you can read the first BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND here.


MODERN DAY MURDERER'S ROW? Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily news has a great quote from Nick Swisher in which he suggests that this year the Yankees could have a new generation of Murderer's Row. I like the sound of that, here's his quote: “We still have to go out and prove it, but I feel like this could be a new generation of the old-school ‘Murderer’s Row'... We’ve got a lot of power through the middle of our lineup, some speed at the top, speed at the bottom. It’s fun to be a part of." Exciting doesn't even begin to describe my emotions. Read McCarron HERE.

THE BERGEN RECORD GAVE ME CHILLS: I read the Bergen Record every day. I think Pete Caldera is my favorite writers, next to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger…big ups. Caldera had a great piece about Mariano Rivera, his career and how this home opener maybe his last. Read HERE. OK, so the story idea isn’t exactly the first we’ve seen but it wasn’t just his great piece that had me at “Hello”, it was the amazing illustration by the Record’s R.L. Rebach and yes, it's something we all know is coming in 5 years after he retires, first ballot or course. But I just wanted to point it out to you all. I can’t find the Internet version of the plaque, so I scanned it. Enjoy starring at that. Great job R.L. Rebach! I appreciate cartooning and illustrating so much!

FIREBALLER: I read this on Yahoo News and it’s terrific video as well. Bear Grylls, you know him you, love him…from the show Man vs. Wild threw out the first pitch at the Dodgers game Thursday and lit the baseball on fire before he threw it. In the end, the idea was probably better on paper because while it was funny to throw a fireball to the catcher, he needs to work on his form a bit. You can read about it HERE.

TEIXEIRA GIVE BACK: Mark Teixeira has been named the "Commissioner of Patch Baseball." It's a little nugget I found while searching online and in a nutshell, it's a way for Tex to give back to local communities. Each week on Patch, Tex will interact with fans and readers and he'll give healthy tips on staying in shape, share exclusive video and even answer questions. Of Patch, Tex says: "I live in a Patch town now and I keep tabs on my original hometown via the Patch site there, so I’ve seen the ways that Patch supports its communities...I’m excited to be a part of that by connecting with Patch users who have the same passion for baseball that I do. I’m eager to see what kinds of questions they toss my way!” Many of us use Patch to read about things going on in our own town. I just thought it was cool to see him interacting with the fans in that capacity. Read all about it HERE.

JAY Z...A YANKEE? Not exactly, but he and his company Rocawear just inked a deal with the Yankees. The deal included branded signage in Yankee Stadium as well as promotions. Good for him. This is America and Jay Z gets it. You can read about the the deal HERE on Hip Hop Wired.

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.