MIAMI — Last September, Robinson Cano said he would vote for himself for AL MVP, an award that eventually went to Detroit’s Justin Verlander.
The Yankees second baseman is not ready to make any bold proclamations yet, but just because he fell short a year ago doesn’t mean his goals have changed.
“I think any good player goes into the season wanting to do that,” Cano said before going 0-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in the Yankees’ 5-2 exhibition victory over the Marlins at Marlins Park. “But I can’t go on the field with that in my head, that I want it so bad. I didn’t think about it last year and I did pretty good.”
AP
BEST OF THE BEST: Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, who finished sixth in the MVP voting last season, says he is not putting any additional pressure on himself to win the award, but “if it happens, it happens.”
His .302 average, 28 homers and 118 RBIs were good enough to get him voted sixth in the race, but neither Cano nor his teammates believe he has reached his potential. And that includes someone who knows about becoming an MVP.
“He’s getting closer,” Alex Rodriguez said. “The sky’s the limit for Robbie. It’s just a matter of how bad does he want it.”
Since Cano made it clear last season that he does, Rodriguez is confident he won’t have to wait too much longer.
“From what I’ve seen, I think there’s no reason why he can’t win the MVP pretty soon,” said Rodriguez, who has won it three times. “And if you don’t want it, it’s not going to happen. You have to own it — and I think he does right now.”
Rodriguez can give Cano advice along the way about how to take that next step, but the third baseman being able to stay in one piece would be even better — especially that manager Joe Girardi will likely have Cano hitting third and Rodriguez behind him.
“I think me being healthy and productive helps him and the team,” Rodriguez said. “It could be a good combination.”
After batting fifth most of last season, Cano hit well enough to force the Yankees to move him up. Cano isn’t convinced he will remain at that spot, although he hit there again last night.
“Whether I hit third or somewhere else, it’s OK with me,” Cano said. “I’m more comfortable and experienced, so I think I’ll be fine anywhere in the lineup.”
Cano’s more concerned with maintaining the numbers he has put up in recent years, since he knows other teams are only going to focus on him even more.
“I have to keep the same approach,” Cano said. “There’s no reason to put pressure on myself ... I know I have to work harder because there are more expectations.”
That’s no different even with a healthy Rodriguez.
“When he’s feeling good, he changes everybody,” Cano said. “And you can see in his face that he’s feeling good and is ready to have a big year.”
Girardi agreed.
“He can help everyone,” the manager said. “Alex is always going to be feared, I believe.”
Cano has a chance to do the same thing, but he’s not basing the success of the season on awards alone.
“I just want to have a good season and be able to celebrate when it’s over,” Cano said. “If [the MVP] happens, it happens. I just want to keep things simple and play my game. That’s when I do my best.”
dan.martin@nypost.com
Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez
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