UPDATE: Nevermind! Looks like Jay Z didn't cost Cano any money. Cano reportedly signed a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Mariners today. Details here.
Robinson Cano will not be signing a deal with the Seattle Mariners anytime soon. And it might be all Jay Z's fault.
According to the New York Daily News, Cano's camp—which includes Roc Nation Sports agent Jay Z—was very close to striking a deal with the Mariners last night. That deal called for Cano to sign a 9-year, $225 million deal with the team, which is a pretty incredible deal when you consider that the only other offer Cano has received this offseason has been a 7-year deal worth about $165 million from the Yankees. But the Daily News is reporting that, just before Cano was set to sign the 9-year deal from Seattle, Jay Z pushed for a larger 10-year, $252 million deal. And by doing so, he may have cost Cano a big contract from the Mariners.
Source said Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln "exploded" after Jay Z changed it up and ended the meeting with Cano and his camp.
Mariners were indeed ready to give Cano $225 for nine years. Jay Z overplayed his hand with the late change and the demand for a 10th year.
It's not fair to put all of the blame on Jay Z here. We highly doubt that he asked for an additional year without consulting Cano and other members of his team first. It's also not terribly uncommon for agents to push for more money towards the end of contract negotiations. But this is definitely a "Welcome to the big leagues!" moment for Jay. And if Cano ends up signing a deal worth significantly less than the 9-year, $225 million deal that Seattle was reportedly offering, it could impact Jay's career as an agent. Because leaving money—a lot of money—on the table during your first major deal is obviously not a good look for you or your client.
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[via New York Daily News]
