NEW YORK (WFAN.com) -- The Seattle Mariners are actively shopping Robinson Cano and have called the New York Yankees to gauge their interest in the eight-time All-Star, according to a report Monday.
Cano spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Yankees and was a member of their 2009 world championship team. However, when Cano hit free agency after the 2013 season, the Mariners outbid New York, signing the second baseman to a 10-year, $240 million deal.
Now in rebuild mode, the Mariners are checking into the possibility that the Yankees and the 36-year-old Cano, whose contract has a full no-trade clause, might be interested in a reunion, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported.
It's unclear how much of Cano's contract Seattle might be willing to pay down. Rosenthal reported the Mariners and Yankees briefly discussed a trade involving Cano and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who still has two years and $47.2 million remaining on his contract, but those talks have not gained traction.
The two teams completed a trade just last week that sent starting pitcher James Paxton to the Yankees.
MORE: Yankees Manager Aaron Boone: Paxton 'Just Scratching The Surface'
Cano's best fit with the Yankees may be at first base and/or designated hitter, though he could also play second base while shortstop Didi Gregorius recovers from Tommy John surgery, with Gleyber Torres sliding over to shortstop.
Cano was suspended for 80 gaes last season after testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic often used to help mask banned substances in urine tests. Playing in 80 games, he batted .303 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. Cano still has five more years left on his contract at $24 million annually.
The Mariners reportedly also reached out to the Mets. A fit seems unlikely: Top prospects Jeff McNeil and Peter Alonso figure to be the franchise's second baseman and first baseman of the future, respectively. And Cano's salary could scare off the Mets, who are generally reluctant to enter into megacontracts.