The Yankees slugger and former Home Run Derby champ is eyeing a big contract, but has been part of an heating up child-support dispute in which he has been described as an absent and cheap father.
The mother of Cano's 3-year-old son, Jackelin Castro, filed a suit against Cano last month in their home country of the Dominican Republic. She went on to tell ESPN that a former lawyer of Cano's tried to get her to her accept a deal for $600 a month for support.
The document also included a confidentiality provision that if violated, Castro would have to pay damages of approximately $47,000. She declined to sign the document.
"The intention of him and his advisers was somewhat to intimidate me," Castro said.
One source close to Cano is brushing Castro's accusations off saying "there is no story here," and she is trying to "shake down" the second baseman. The two are expected back in court Nov. 7, which is the same time Cano hits the free-agent market.
Cano, who made $15 million last season, and his representatives are apparently convinced he is worth more as they are reportedly looking to get about a 10-year $300 million deal this offseason.
Cano offered a statement through his publicist on Wednesday disputing Castro's claims.
"I have gone above and beyond to care for my child including an agreed upon monthly stipend, a house, a car, insurance, school and other essentials for the baby and his mother as well many other things including toys and clothing," the statement said.
"This is a private matter and I will not fight it in the media, nor will I say anything disparaging about the mother of my child or comment any further. I look forward to an amicable resolution that will allow me time with my son."
Castro, who claimed they were a couple for almost three years, says she feels like she is chasing money because the payments come sporadically with no heads up.
The mother also went on to say her child should be living like Cano's son and not underprivileged, forced to sleep on in a 3-foot-by-6-foot crib cramped between a wall and her bed.
"I believe the money he gives to the son, when he does, is not enough to feed the dogs of Robinson Cano's house," Diaz said before she added this: "Maybe he is expending more money on the dogs and cars that he has than on his own child."
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