Yanks sign 2B Cano to four-year deal

Feb 7, 2008 - 9:19 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees officially avoided salary arbitration with Robinson Cano, signing the All-Star second baseman to a four-year contract Thursday.

The contract also includes a pair of one-year club options that could potentially keep Cano with the Yankees through the 2013 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported that the deal has a base value of $30 million and could be worth up to $57 million.

Cano, 25, batted .306 with career highs of 19 home runs and 97 RBI in 160 games with the Yankees last season, his third with the club.

One of the premier offensive players at his position, Cano is a career .314 hitter with 48 homers and 237 RBI in three seasons, all with New York.

The Yankees' only remaining arbitration-eligible player is pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, who has recorded 19 wins each of the past two seasons.

According to various reports, Wang has asked for $4.6 million annually while the Yankees are offering $4 million. The 27-year-old Wang went 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA last season, also his third with New York.