BREAKING: Mariners to sign Robinson Cano

After talks regarding Cano's negotiations with the Seattle Mariners coming to a halt late last night, just hours later ESPN Deportes is reporting that the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a 10 year deal worth $240 million. The signing will be official on Monday when Cano undergoes his physical. The Seattle Mariners are going all-out right now, so I would not be surprised to see them land David Price in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Sources also say that the Mariners are involved in the Mike Napoli sweepstakes.

The Yankees letting Cano go to Seattle negates the signings of Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury in that the lineup would have been completely filled out with the three biggest free agents, but now the Yankees must scramble to sign a second baseman or stay with Kelly Johnson to play second, who can hit 20 home runs over the course of a season. The Mariners gave Cano more years and more money than he deserved, granted he is the top second baseman in the league. However, the Mariners will regret the contract in year seven of the deal when Cano's power is gone and he needs a position change to accommodate his reduced quality of play. There is no doubt that Cano will lose home runs playing in a spacious Safeco Field, but his line drives will translate into more doubles. The only issue with Cano going to Seattle is that he has no protection in the lineup.

Cano is the lone bright spot in a lineup filled with Minor League players like Kyle Seager, Nick Franklin and Jesus Montero. His average will diminish because of his inability to have protection in the lineup unless the Mariners sign other key free agents, which will make them more attractive after getting a player of Cano's caliber. Cano will be the offensive star in Seattle, similar to how Felix Hernandez is the pitching star in the rainy city.