Yankees maintain they showed Cano respect

NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees are taking issue with Robinson Cano’s contention he didn’t feel respect from them during contract negotiations.

Cano made the statement Thursday when he completed a $240 million, 10-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees offered $175 million over seven years.

Says Yankees President Randy Levine: “I think he was very disappointed he’s not a New York Yankee anymore. … We treated him with the utmost respect. We respect him to this day.”

Speaking Friday, New York general manager Brian Cashman said Cano’s agents proposed a $235 million, 10-year deal with New York at the end of talks, down from an opening offer of $310 million over a decade.

Cashman calls Cano a “great player” and says the team “loved Robby.” He says the Yankees made an offer they were comfortable with, but fell far short of Seattle’s. “So, in terms of respect, they showed a lot more respect financially than we did.”