Cano downplayed the idea of his pending free agency becoming a distraction TAMPA — Back in 2008, the New York Yankees took a four-year gamble and turned it into a six-year bargain.
Robinson Cano was not yet a superstar when he signed his first long-term contract, but he turned into one. During those four guaranteed years, he emerged as the best second baseman in baseball, and picking up a pair of club options was a no-brainer for the Yankees.
But the bargain ends at the end of this season. At 30 years old, Cano is heading for a massive payday, and it's unclear whether the Yankees have the financial flexibility to give it to him.
"I just want to go out there and perform," Cano said. "Not think about anything or put any pressure on my mind."
That was his unbreakable stance on the first day of full-squad workouts at Steinbrenner Field. Cano acknowledged that he'd like to come back to the Yankees, but otherwise deflected question after question about his contract.
Is he willing to discuss an extension at midseason?
"That's a good question," Cano said. "I haven't really thought about it."
Is he worried the Yankees' plan to lower their payroll will affect him?
"I'm not worried about anything right now," Cano said. "I still have one year."
Is this an opportunity to cash in on a lucrative, open-market deal?
"It's not about the money," Cano said.
But the money certainly matters.
It was almost exactly two years ago that Cano switched agents, moving from Bobby Barad to Scott Boras. He explained Monday that he made the switch because he wanted to "go with the best," but being represented by Boras brings certain expectations. Boras is well-known — notorious, even — for making massive demands and going after top-dollar deals. He's not known for hometown discounts.
The Yankees are similarly known for extravagance, but that reputation is fading in the wake of ownership's desire to stay beneath the $189 million luxury-tax limit. They've already committed nearly $80 million of next year's payroll to CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki.
PHOTOS: SCENES FROM SPRING TRAINING 
Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones gets ready to take batting practice at a spring training practice.
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Kansas City Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur chases a ball during a spring training workout.
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San Francisco Giants first baseman Brett Pill scoops a ball out of the dirt.
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Houston Astros first baseman Carlos Pena throws at a workout.
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Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer George Brett catches a ball as he hits infield practice.
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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy throws at spring training.
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Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler watches batting practice at spring training.
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Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks takes batting practice.
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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval fields a bouncing ball during spring training.
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Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers catches a ball during spring training in Phoenix on Feb. 15, 2013.
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Philadelphia Phillies' Jacob Diekman exercises during a workout at spring training Feb. 17, 2013, in Clearwater, Fla.
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Los Angeles Angels players, from left, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols attend a news conference in Tempe, Ariz.
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Blue Jays' Melky Cabrera wipes his face as he joins Blue Jays third base coach Luis Rivera, right, to address the media.
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White Sox pitchers stretch during spring training at Camelback Ranch.
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Yankees pitchers Andy Pettitte (left) and CC Sabathia run in the rain during spring training at Steinbrenner Field.
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Chicago Cubs' pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa throws during a workout in Mesa, Ariz.
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Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana stretches during spring training at Tradition Field.
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Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder hops off a golf cart after arriving for a spring training workout in Lakeland, Fla.
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Atlanta Braves infielder Ramiro Pena prepares to take batting practice during a workout in Kissimmee, Fla.
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Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli works out during spring training at Steinbrenner Field.
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Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera rests after a workout in Tampa.
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Pirates warm up during a workout session at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
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Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias loses the ball as he crashes into a screen in Fort Myers, Fla.
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New York Mets manager Terry Collins, talks to 1-year-old Bentley DiToro, carried by his grandfather Charlie DiToro, of Palm City, Fla., during the team's first pitchers and catchers workout in Port St. Lucie.
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Miami Marlins pitcher Edgar Olmos, left, runs sprints while pitcher Jose Ceda throws in Jupiter, Fla.
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Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina gestures to fans as J.R. Towles looks in Jupiter, Fla.
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Angels pitcher Jered Weaver throws at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Arizona.
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Detailed view of a baseball in the dirt during Angels camp at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
