Cano: Boras switch not about more money
New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano practices with the team during the first full spring training workout for position players at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Feb. 20, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
TAMPA, Fla. - Robinson Cano said his offseason switch from agent Bobby Barad to Scott Boras wasn't to get more money from the Yankees.
"They have a great company, a company that can do everything for you, not only on the field but off the field too, so that's why I went there," Cano said Sunday of the Boras Corporation. "Nothing where I'm thinking about a big contract or anything."
Cano, coming off an MVP-caliber season, has among the most club-friendly contracts in baseball. He's in the final year of a four-year, $30-million deal that has a $14-million team option for 2012 and a $15-million team option for 2013.
The Yankees' policy is not to extend contracts, and Cano said he isn't planning to ask for a new deal.
"No, I would never do that," he said. "Those are things that have to be their decision. I'm just here to focus and play baseball."
Cano, 28, had 29 homers and 109 RBIs, both career highs, last season and won his first Gold Glove, elevating himself into the discussion of one of the game's best. "If anything, it makes me work even harder because you want to stay on that level," said Cano, who also batted .319.
As for showing up one day after the report date, Cano said he was "embarrassed" at his mistake and apologized. "I don't like to be late," he said. "You guys know I'm always on time. I messed up."
A-Rod drops a few
Alex Rodriguez came to camp appearing slimmer, and a person in the loop confirmed as much Sunday, saying A-Rod is 223 pounds, down from the 233 he weighed at the end of last season. His body fat dropped to 9 percent from 12. "Sometimes guys just feel like they just want to be a little bit lighter," Joe Girardi said.
A-Rod will address the media Monday but, unlike past years, there's no controversy surrounding him.
Said Girardi, "I'm sure it makes it much more enjoyable for him."
Posada doesn't dig it
Jorge Posada worked at first base and struggled in the beginning digging out some of the low throws from Derek Jeter and Eduardo Nuñez, both of whom poked fun at the former catcher. Girardi has said Posada could get some time at first in spring training.
With Ken Davidoff
