Source: Yanks, Cano still far apart
— -- NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees met with representatives for free agent second baseman Robinson Cano on Tuesday in Manhattan and hope to meet again before the Thanksgiving holiday, but a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPNNewYork.com the sides remain far apart.
"There's still a pretty big gap," the source said. "But [the Cano side] did move a little."
It has been reported that Cano is seeking a 10-year deal worth $310 million, a demand the Yankees have said they will not meet. The source refused to say whether the "movement" came in the form of fewer years or fewer dollars, only that it raised optimism that progress could be made before the end of the week.
"They're going to try to get together [Wednesday]," the source said.
Present at the meeting were Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, president Randy Levine, Cano agent Brodie Van Wagenen of Creative Artists Agency and a representative of Jay Z's Roc Nation, although not Jay Z himself.
According to published reports and information from sources who spoke to ESPNNewYork.com, the Yankees have offered Cano a seven-year deal worth approximately $160 million.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in October the club would not give Cano a 10-year deal, and last week Levine told ESPNNewYork.com, "Unless he gets a little more realistic, we have nothing to talk about."
A source told ESPNNewYork.com that while the Yankees might increase their monetary offer, a 10-year contract was still out of the question, as was a contract worth $200 million. The source said the club was confident in its belief that no other team would come close to meeting Cano's stated asking price.
"They act as if they're not worried at all," the source said.
Calls to Cashman, Levine and Van Wagenen seeking comment were not immediately returned.
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