The Los Angeles Dodgers will not attempt to sign free agent second baseman Robinson Cano this off-season, owner Magic Johnson told Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Magic Johnson says Dodgers will not pursue Robinson Cano, will focus on Clayton Kershaw
The Dodgers will not join the Robinson Cano Sweepstakes this winter.
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Cano's contract expired with the New York Yankees at the end of the 2013 season. The second baseman is seeking a 10-year, $305 million deal this off-season -- the largest contract ever in Major League Baseball.
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Johnson could not directly speak about Cano, but made the team’s intentions clear:
“I can’t talk about the other guy, but you already know that guy in New York is going to be paid. Not by us. But he’s going to get paid.”
The Dodgers' priority will be to re-sign starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw instead. Kershaw will not be a free agent until after the 2014 season, but he will command a hefty contract.
Johnson spoke candidly about the issue after being asked if the team was worried that a strong postseason will only increase Kershaw’s price tag:
“We’re not worried about that. We already know we’ve got to give him a lot of money. What’s a few more zeroes. I mean, really?”
Kershaw nearly agreed to a seven-year, $210 million extension earlier this season before the Dodgers apparently backed off.
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