Free agent second baseman Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees met on Tuesday and reports indicate that they are still far apart in negotiations of a new deal to keep the five-time All-Star in pinstripes but the two sides plan to meet again on Wednesday.
According to a source cited by ESPN, there is a gap but the Cano side has given in a little from their original demands that were reportedly for a 10-year $310 million contract while the Yankees weren't prepared to commit that much money or that many years.
"There's still a pretty big gap," a source told ESPN. "But [the Cano side] did move a little."
ESPN reports that the source wouldn't indicate if the Cano side showed a little flexibility in the years or the amount of money, but it raised optimism that both sides could possibly negotiate a deal soon as negotiations are set to continue before Thanksgiving.
"They're going to try to get together [Wednesday]," a source told ESPN.
The Yankees have reportedly countered Cano's demands with a seven-year offer worth approximately $160 million.
According to ESPN, general manager Brian Cashman, team president Randy Levine, Cano's agent Brodie Van Wagenen and a representative of Jay-Z's Roc Nation were present for the meeting, but Jay-Z himself was not there.
Levine mirrored what owner Hal Steinbrenner said in October regarding giving Cano a 10-year deal.
"Unless he gets a little more realistic, we have nothing to talk about," Levine said last week per ESPN.
The Yankees reportedly may increase their monetary offer, but won't offer a 10-year deal and won't delve into the $200 million range, let alone the over $300 million that Cano was reportedly seeking. Cano's asking price hasn't attracted much of a market for the free agent, giving the Yankees some leverage in the negotiating.
Despite the lack of market, the source told ESPN that Cano's camp doesn't seem to be scared off by the lack of interest.
"They act as if they're not worried at all," the source told ESPN.
Cano hit .314 with 27 homers and 107 RBIs in 2013.
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