The New York Yankees finished the 2013 regular season with 85 wins and while that number would make certain ball clubs happy, the figure is seen as a less-than-acceptable number in the Bronx. Due to multiple injuries to high profile players throughout the course of the season including first baseman Mark Teixeira, shortstop and Captain Derek Jeter, centerfielder Curtis Granderson, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and utility infielder Kevin Youkilis among others, the Yankees failed to make the postseason for only the second time in 19 seasons.
One of the reasons the Yankees were able to stay in the playoff chase from start to finish was the play of second baseman Robinson Cano. Recently completing his fifth-straight season with 25-plus home runs, the 30-year-old All-Star second baseman led the Bronx Bombers with 107 RBI's this season as well. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Yankees organization knew their star's asking price would be high and with news coming that Cano was seeking a 10-year contract worth upwards of $300, owner Hal Steinbrenner said that the organization would love to have Cano back but only if the terms were agreeable.
"I don't feel this organization is ready to do something like that," Steinbrenner said recently when asked if the team would give Cano a 10-year deal. We'll see. I know that is a number that is out there now. We'll see if he gets it, how much he wants to be in New York. But, again, I can promise it is going to be a very, very solid offer that we do make because we are going to try. We are going to try the best we can to keep him."
Though Steinbrenner would like to be able to get the team under the $189 million threshold so the team's luxury tax rate is heavily reduced, the Yanks' owner understands that Cano will be a popular target during the offseason and though he wants him back, Steinbrenner doesn't think any player should be considered a 'must sign.'
"Is anybody an absolute must-to-sign? No. And that's nothing against Robby," he said. "He's just not reasonable to assume that about anybody. We are going to do what we can. We've certainly conveyed to Robby we want him back and we want him to be a career Yankee. We'll just have to see what transpires here."
Another major goal of the Yankees heading into next season was re-signing manager Joe Girardi.
With the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals reportedly interested in the former catcher's services, Hal Steinbrenner and company were happy to announce that Girardi recently inked a brand new four-year deal reportedly worth $16 million.
Now that their manager is in the fold for the next 4 seasons, you can be sure the Yankees will make it a priority to re-sign Cano (with the aforementioned limitations taken into account) while also getting below the luxury tax line.
Obviously, building a championship team is at the top of the list like it always is at 161st and River Ave.
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