Robinson Cano and his agents met with the Seattle Mariners Thursday, sources told several news outlets, and it appears the club is prepared to offer the Yankees slugger more than $200 million to head west.
A nine-year, $225 million contract is on the table for the five-time all-star second baseman, sources told the Daily News. The deal far outstrips the seven-year, $160 one the Yankees are currently offering and would be one of the largest contracts in MLB history.
It remains to be seen whether New York will counter the offer. The News reports that the team is willing to spend as much as $175 million over seven years for Cano's services. The 30-year-old hit 27 home runs and had 107 RBIs last year.
Cano originally asked for a 10-year, $300 million contract during, but his demands dropped in the offseason; he's now asking the team for $260 million over nine years, with a $28 million option for a 10th year. Still, sources have told multiple outlets that New York wouldn't pay more than $175 million over seven years for the slugger.
Cano' father, a former big-league pitcher, told ESPN that his son is looking for a 10-year deal.
