Robinson Cano

Imagine a scenario where the Miami Marlins calls Jay Z's sports agency, Roc Nation, and tells him they are prepared to offer All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano the 10-year, $300 milllion contract the New York Yankees aren't willing to put on the table. 

Every MLB team has an idea of how they think their offseason will play out, or at least how they would like it to, but rarely do things go according to plan during the MLB offseason.

Whether it's a surprise player hitting the trade market and changing the market for other players at his position, a free-agent signing with an unexpected suitor, a player opting against re-signing when he's expected to and hitting the open market or something else altogether, there is no shortage of reasons an offseason can be altered.

For Washington Nationals fans, the MLB offseason is the time to dream. 

Nats fans can dream about the season that could have been or the season that is yet to come. Or perhaps they can dream about the free agents who will help the team next season. 

Of course, some potential free-agent signings are just that: a dream. A mirage. A figment of the imagination. 

The New York Yankees are preparing for life after Robinson Cano, or so it seems.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Yankees have made contact with the Cincinnati Reds about second baseman Brandon Phillips:

New York Yankees star second baseman Robinson Cano was the beneficiary of an expensive birthday gift from Roc Nation founder Jay Z. Now, the hip-hop icon is being investigated by the MLBPA for giving the ballplayer a pricey watch.

This winter, Robinson Cano will be the biggest, most expensive name on the free-agent market, which is just the sort of player the big-market, deep-pocketed New York Yankees have been known to land.

But will they? And more importantly, should they?

Cano, of course, actually is a Yankee. At least, technically speaking. For now.

The MLB playoffs are heating up with some incredible games going down in both the ALCS and the NLCS, and as things move closer and closer to the 2013 MLB World Series, one thing will be on the mind of baseball fans everywhere, especially fans whose teams have been eliminated: free agency. 

Here is a quick look at some of the best bats coming onto the free agency market this offseason.

Robinson Cano perennially ranks among MLB's leaders in doubles every year, so it's no surprise he found a creative way to get another one on Friday night.

With the Boston Red Sox infield shifted to the right side during the first inning, Cano laid this unconventional bunt down the third-base line (courtesy of MLB.com):

The New York Yankees' quest to claw their way back into the American League wild-card race may have taken a huge blow, as second baseman Robinson Cano had to leave Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with an apparent right hand contusion.  

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We could be witnessing history every time we watch New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano step up to the plate.

The 30-year-old slugger blasted his 200th career home run Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, taking Esmil Rogers deep to center.