Yankees Need To Play Contractual Hardball With Cano

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by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq./www.liattorney.com

The Yankees are currently engaged in a high stakes game of negotiations with their star player Robinson Cano.  Currently, both sides appear to be at a stale mate, as the Yankee years of paying unlimited dollars for players effectively died with George Steinbrenner in 2010.

Several weeks ago, news surfaced that Cano demanded a 10 year contract north of 300 million dollars.  Although this demand came from his agent at Jay Z’s Roc Nation, Cano himself denied that he was asking for such an excessive contract.  Subsequently, it was revealed that the Yankees had made the 31 year old Cano an extremely generous offer of 170 million over 7 years.  This offer, despite no other offers from any other teams, has been repudiated and the outrageous demand of 300 million over 10 years has been re-affirmed.

Apparently, Cano wishes to de-throne A-Rod as the highest paid player in baseball.  Perhaps Cano should be careful about what he wishes for, as history has shown that title to be virtually impossible to live up to.  The Yankees have offered Cano an exceedingly generous contract to the tune of almost 25 million per year.  In addition, are the lucrative endorsements associated with being the Yankee’s star player, estimated to be an additional 10 million per year.

If a combined total of 35 million dollars per year is not sufficient compensation for Cano to play a game, then it is time the Yankees change their strategy.  In the face of no other offers from any other teams, the Yankees should put a time limit on their offer.  If Cano does not accept their offer by Thanksgiving Day, the offer should be rescinded.  The Yankees should not be subjected to bidding against themselves in the face of an extortion-like demand.  Since Cano wants to see what he is worth on the market, the Yankees should let him follow his chosen path.  If the market demonstrates Cano’s value to be less than the current offer, then the Yankees could make a new money saving comparable offer.  If the market demonstrates Cano is worth more than the current offer, then the Yankees should wish him well and use that money to get two or three good players.  It is only this way that players may be reminded, that playing baseball for a living is a privilege and not a right.

Long Island lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Paul A. Lauto, Esq. completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY at Stony Brook in 1987, with a major in political science and a double minor in socio-legal studies and moral-legal issues in philosophy. Mr. Lauto received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990 and was admitted in 1991 to practice in the courts of New York State, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States District Court.

Mr. Lauto has primarily focused on personal injury throughout his career and previously worked as in-house counsel to a major insurance company. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC, with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases, Wills, Trusts and Estates and more. Paul is the sole author of his Scales of Justice blog, which provides updates and information about current legal stories in the news and how they may affect our lives. Mr. Lauto prides himself on providing clients maximum results, with a high level of personal attorney service and attention that is uncommon in the profession. For more information please visit http://www.liattorney.com