The Cano Rumors

In a recent article, Ken Rosenthal mentions the expectation that the Dodgers will renew trade talks with the Yanks for 2B Robinson Cano. Cano has been doing well in winter ball after working with hitting coach Kevin Long on his stance. Cano's been drawing walks too, which he has never been able to do well. The Yankees would definitely being selling low on Robby after his poor season. They are expected to treat him in a trade as the great player he was in 06 and 07, not in 08. However, the Dodgers and other interested teams may not see him as the beast he was a year ago. The Yankees should only trade him if two things happen, 1. They need to get another cheap young player, preferably a starting pitcher, however a CF would not be terrible if it was someone like Matt Kemp. 2. They need to be able to have a replacement at secondbase. In the minors the Yanks have only Addison Maruszak and Kevin Russo as possibilities, and neither of them look like they would make good contributions at the major league level. If Cano was traded they would have to either sign a free agent like Orlando Hudson, Felipe Lopez, David Eckstein, or Mark Grudzielanek. Of that group Hudson is the only one who might be an upgrade. They could look to trade for a second baseman( Rickie Weeks, Brian Roberts, and Freddy Sanchez could be available). But a trade would also mean taking on more salary. The Yanks need to be careful if they think about trading Cano, because with his improved hitting he could be an offensive force next year, and giving him up for less than he is worth would be a bad move. Cano should only be traded if someone like Zach Greinke, Matt Cain, Matt Kemp, or Chad Billingsley could be gained in return. Otherwise, giving up an above average player at a premium position would be a terrible move.