New York Yankees Looking to Extend Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson This Winter
July 16, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Yankees know they have to eventually lock up Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson to long-term deals.
Both players are two key components to the Yankees’ present and future and Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman knows this.
The Yankees have always made it a policy not to negotiate a new contract with a player before or during a season if they have a current deal.
According to Marc Carig of the Newark Star Ledger, Cashman may go against that long-standing policy come this winter.
Carig reported that the Yankees may in fact look to extend Cano and Granderson; both have one year left on each of their current deals.
Both of those one-year deals are team options for 2013; the one for Cano is $15 million and the one for Granderson is $13 million.
The Yankees have been very vocal about trying to get their payroll under the $189 million mark so they don’t get whacked with the luxury tax they would have to pay under the collective bargaining agreement.
Locking up Cano and Granderson are moves the Yankees need to make, and if they can sign each of them in the winter, it would be a win-win situation for both players and for the Yankees.
Cano is just 29 years old and is entering the prime stages of his career.
Of the current Yankees lineup, he may now be their most lethal and feared hitter; hitting for both power and average.
He’s currently hitting .318 with 21 home runs and 54 RBI and could be a candidate for the 2012 American League MVP Award come November.
There’s isn’t a second basemen in the league better than Cano. He’s a rare talent and locking him up long term is a very crucial move.
Granderson is 31 years old and is still in the prime of his career.
When the Yankees made the three-way deal to land Curtis Granderson in the winter of 2009, who knew the impact that he would bring to the Bronx?
He leads the team in home runs with 25 and could be on pace to hit over 40 , just like he did in 2011 when he hit a team-high 41.
Granderson also plays a solid center field and makes a lot of great plays to save runs.
Both players are critical to the team and need to be a part of the future.
Cashman knows that he can’t let either of these guys get away, even if it means he has to sacrifice Nick Swisher in the winter.
Will the Yankees GM lock up his second basemen and center fielder come winter time?
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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