All Quiet on the Hot Stove

Another week has passed, this one far less eventful in the MLB offseason than the last one was. This week, however, did feature some incredible sporting events across the NCAA, NFL, NBA, and NHL, perhaps none greater than the instant-classic Auburn vs. Alabama game last night. Usually I am not much of a college football fan but that game plus the dramatic finish to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game have me very tempted to stray and to talk college football for just one week... but alas, I wouldn't want to disappoint all [zero] of my faithful followers! So we press on...

With no new major trades or free agent signings, I will dedicate this post to talking about Major League Baseball's most prized free agent this offseason, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. Cano is undoubtedly one of the MLB's best talents, and is hitting the market as a free agent for the first time. Nearly every executive in baseball believes he will end up back with New York, but Cano and his agents are currently very far from each other in the negotiating process. Despite my gut telling me that Cano will remain a Yankee for life, most likely, I will propose three teams that are possible suitors for Cano and could greatly use his service.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The simple and honest fact that the Dodgers have money and are not afraid to spend it qualifies them to be in the running for Cano. With baseball's second-highest payroll (only to the Yankees, of course) the Dodgers have deep pockets and a hole at second base with the departure of everyday second baseman Mark Ellis. Cano would be a great fit for an already talent-packed roster, but many believe the Dodgers are saving to shell out massive extensions and maintain the talent that they already have, primarily Clayton Kershaw, who may receive a historic $300+ million deal. If so, the cash to keep Cano and Kershaw on the same team together for 6-8 years just may not be there.

2. Detroit Tigers

This seems like a less-logical landing spot for Cano with the recent acquisition of Ian Kinsler, but hear me out for a second. Kinsler is versatile and could be moved to either third base or first base, with Miguel Cabrera taking the other. Jhonny Peralta has departed but flashy rookie Jose Iglesias did a fine job in his place at shortstop. With Kinsler, Iglesias, and Cabrera penciled in and Kinsler moving positions, Cano could be the puzzle piece that puts this Tigers team over the top. If they are in a win-now mentality, and many people believe they are, the Tigers could be dark horse in the Cano running. They cleared up a ton of salary by dumping Prince Fielder's contract in the Kinsler trade, but most execs feel that the cap space created will go toward extensions for Cabrera and ace pitcher Max Scherzer. We'll see if Cano emerges on the Tigers radar and just how badly they want to win now...

3. Washington Nationals

This is a biased one, but I am a huge Nationals fan and a huge Cano fan, so this would be a match made in heaven for me. I even had a dream about it a few weeks back. Most Nationals people feel that their infield is in place with promising youngster Anthony Rendon, but I vote to trade Rendon while his stock is high and sing Cano to a 7-9 year deal. Cano would make the Nationals lineup terrifying and, with their already star-studded pitching staff, possibly the best team in baseball (for real this time, not like last year).

Well there are just three random thoughts about possible landing spots for Cano - we'll track the negotiations with the Yankees over the next few weeks and see if there is any chance that Robinson is not wearing pinstripes come 2014!