Robinson Cano headed to Mariners: 10 years, $240 million
Robinson Cano is headed to the Seattle Mariners, agreeing to terms on a 10-year, $240 million contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
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The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
The agreement comes just hours after talks between Cano, his representative Jay-Z, and the Mariners broke down when the hip-hop mogul asked for a 10th year from the Mariners.
MARINERS: Why they will regret Cano’s contract
But cooler heads apparently prevailed and the sides found common ground, as the pact represents Jay-Z’s first major transaction as a sports agent.
He didn’t do too badly: Cano’s deal equals Albert Pujols’ as the third-largest in baseball history, behind only the two contracts Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers (in 2000) and the Yankees (after the 2007 season).
Cano’s agreement with the Mariners was first reported by ESPN Deportes.
The Mariners’ winning offer was $80 million more than the Yankees’ seven-year, $160 million offer two weeks ago.
BREAKDOWN: Cano, Mariners had a rough night
Cano and agent Jay-Z, who received an eight-year, $200 million contract earlier from the Mariners, met Thursday night in Seattle with Mariners officials. Cano requested a 10-year, $260 million from the Mariners in the meeting, according to a high-ranking Mariners’ official, and reached a compromise Friday morning.
The Mariners, who signed a lucrative TV contract in the off-season, have not reached the playoffs since 2001 and have averaged 92 losses a season the past six years.
Cano’s defection from the Yankees will accelerate the off-season re-tooling with his old team, which now will set its sights on an outfielder such as Shin-Soo Choo to make up for Cano’s power void, and a second base replacement such as Omar Infante.
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