It may be difficult to imagine Robinson Cano in a New York Mets uniform after nine seasons in Yankees pinstripes, but Jay Z and general manager Sandy Alderson met to discuss that possibility Monday night. Ken Davidoff and Dan Martin of the New York Post reported that Jay Z and the Mets GM met at a Manhattan restaurant to discuss the free agent second baseman.
Cano was not in attendance at the meeting, but Mets assistant general manager John Ricco was there along with agents Brodie Van Wagenen of CAA Sports and Juan Perez. Cano’s side called the meeting, according to the Post.
The meeting comes as a surprise, since Cano seeks a contract worth more than $300 million yet Alderson has spent cautiously since joining the Mets following the 2010 season. The former Oakland Athletics GM has spoken out against big-money contracts in the past, and remains an ally of commissioner Bud Selig. Alderson recently said he doesn’t expect the Mets to add another $100 million player now that franchise third baseman David Wright has been signed.
Cano, a free agent for the first time in his career, continues to explore his options with the help of Jay Z, the rapper turned sports agent. While the Yankees are viewed by most as a logical destination for the 31-year-old, there’s no denying that he would make the Mets’ lineup considerably more intimidating. Furthermore, a crosstown move would allow Cano to continue maximizing his endorsement deals in the biggest baseball market there is.
Jay Z, who recently founded the Roc Nation Sports agency, will apparently be a major presence in Cano’s free agent negotiations. After finishing the 2013 season with 27 home runs, 107 RBI, a .314 batting average and 7.6 wins above replacement, Cano’s place atop the free agent market is undisputed.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams that have publicly seemed hesitant to commit to a player such as Cano on a massive long-term deal.