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          New York Yankees

          Hal: I hope Cano gives us final at-bat

          • Andrew Marchand, ESPN Senior WriterDec 5, 2013, 05:12 PM ET
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              Andrew Marchand is a senior writer for ESPNNewYork. He also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, ESPNews, ESPN New York 98.7 FM and ESPN Radio. He joined ESPN in 2007 after nine years at the New York Post. Follow Andrew on Twitter »
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          Hal Steinbrenner hopes if Robinson Cano is about to take another offer, he gives the Yankees one final chance.

          "I would hope that would be the case," Steinbrenner said. "I would hope given the history, given that he came up through this organization, that would be the case. These are good guys that he's got. I would think so and hope so."

          So if the Seattle Mariners or someone else blows Cano away with a $200 million-plus offer, the Yankees want the opportunity to mull it over one last time. So basically, CAA/Jay Z have to find a destination Cano is willing to leave for to force the Yankees' hand.

          Thus far, the Yankees have offered Cano a seven-year contract in the $160 million to $170 million range. Privately, they have vowed not to top $175 million. But if given a final opportunity, perhaps they will budge.

          "We're still talking," Steinbrenner said. "Nobody is giving up. We are a decent distance apart. We are just going to have to wait and see. Day-by-day. That's all I can do."

          Steinbrenner knows losing Cano would be a huge blow.

          "It would make a big difference," Steinbrenner said. "Robbie is one of the best players in baseball. No doubt about that. He is a great player. And he has been a great Yankee. We'll keep plugging away until it happens or it doesn't."

          And as for the $189 million threshold, Steinbrenner repeated it is not a mandate, just a goal.

          "It is an absolute goal," Steinbrenner said. "Yes, I think we can do it, but it is not going to come at the expense of fielding a good team. Right now, we are still under it. Right now, we have a decent amount of money to spend, quite frankly. We are going to put it back into the team like we always do."