Yankees rumors: New York hesitant to extend Robinson Cano?

The current predicament the New York Yankees find themselves involved in with Alex Rodriguez could cause the club to be hesitant when it comes to signing second baseman Robinson Cano to a long-term contract extension, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

Sherman says that the Rodriguez debacle has left the Yankees "more averse to impulse buying with no long-term cautions." A-Rod, who turns 38 in July, is owed $114 million through 2017, and he's once again in the midst of performance-enhancing drug drama. There are also questions surrounding the veteran's availability this season as he returns from hip surgery.

Cano hasn't been directly tied to PEDs, and he's one of the game's best position players. Last season he hit .313/.379/.550 with 48 doubles and 33 home runs. His impressive campaign earned him All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors, and he finished fourth in American League MVP voting.

Still, Cano, who's in the final year of his current contract, will be 31 when he reaches free agency, and there are some that question how long he'll be able to stick at second base.

Sherman expects the Yankees to extend something like a seven-year, $170 million offer to Cano. He also believes the four-time All-Star could garner multiple $200 million-plus offers if his level of production continues.

Would Cano leave $25 million or more on the table in order to return with the Yankees? Would New York let other teams out-bid them significantly for what could be the next face of the franchise? All of these questions will be answered next winter if an in-season extension can't be reached.