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ORLANDO, Fla. -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman concedes that they could be out-bid for free agent second baseman Robinson Cano. "I think he loves the money but I think were going to have a substantial offer, but somebody might come in and have a much more substantial offer," Cashman said Tuesday at the gathering of baseballs general managers. Thats just the way it works. "Hes in free agency and thats the feeling I get," Cashman added. "Doesnt make it wrong at all. Thats what makes the U.S. the greatest place in the world. We just have to compete for that. I feel very comfortable that well firmly compete for the player, but the value we put on him, the value someone else puts on him could be vastly different, and if it is well lose him." Cano is seeking a 10-year deal in excess of $300 million. "The best way to go about this process is to put your best foot forward and live with it, and if its not good enough Im comfortable with it. And whatever that foot is, from my end, is going to be very good, as it should be to retain the player," Cashman said. "We obviously have a strong interest in retaining him. Theres nothing better ... hes has a chance to be the first Dominican born player to have his number there in monument park and thats a big deal. A real big deal. But its going to take a big deal Im sure to make that happen." Cashman doesnt expect Cano to make a quick decision. Cashman has not ruled out signing players connected with the Biogenesis scandal that resulted in Major League Baseball suspending 14 players last season for violating the leagues drug policy. "We have a lot of holes to fill, so were just going to have to explore every option thats available to us," Cashman said. "Obviously, everything in their background is relevant. But well certainly have to be open-minded." Cashman plans to tender a contract to catcher Francisco Cervelli, who was suspended 50 games as part of the Biogenesis investigation. The Yankees want to bring in two starting pitchers, adding to a rotation that has holdovers CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. Hiroki Kuroda has not announced if he will return next season. Other needs include the left side of the infield, where shortstop Derek Jeter is coming off an injury-marred season due to a broken ankle. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is appealing his 211-game suspension. Cashman expects Jeter will be healthy for the start of next season. With the retirement of career saves leader Mariano Rivera, setup man David Robertson is in the mix to be the new closer, but he is not guaranteed the role. "Im not sure that Robertson is capable yet. Hes never done that before," Cashman said. "I think hes earned the right to take a shot at it and may very well be the guy. Well wait and see how it plays out." NOTE: The Yankees are nearing an agreement to play two exhibition games next March in Panama, the home country of Rivera. Karl Malone Jazz Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Pete Maravich Jersey . Phoenix got injured centre Emeka Okafor and a top-12-protected first-round draft pick in 2014 -- giving the rebuilding Suns potentially four choices in the opening round. The Suns also sent guards Kendall Marshall, Shannon Brown and Malcolm Lee to Washington so the deal will work financially. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-rudy-gobert-jazz-jersey/ . Williams withdrawal came less than 24 hours after losing in the final Auckland WTA tournament final. "I dont believe she has an injury," Hobart tournament director Mark Handley said. John Stockton Jersey . The second-ranked Jayhawks will play the Miners of Texas-El Paso at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas. The game can be seen live on TSN2 starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. Tony Bradley Jazz Jersey . Grimes signed a $32 million, four-year contract to remain with Miami. The deal, which includes $16 million guaranteed, rewards Grimes for his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2012 season.CLEVELAND - The Houston Rockets played again without Dwight Howard. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. Harden scored 37 points, including 17 in the third quarter, and the Rockets led from wire-to-wire in a 118-111 victory on Saturday night. With Howard out for a third straight game because of a sore left ankle, Harden provided a boost. He was 9 of 15 from the field, hit five 3-pointers, made all 14 of his free throws and had 11 assists without playing the fourth quarter after Houston built a 29-point lead late in the third. "Great players do that, they get going," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "Ive seen James do it countless times, but thats what separates him from a lot of players. He has the ability to do that." Harden dominated in just about every aspect of the game. He drove to the basket, buried shots from well beyond the 3-point line, converted free throws and found open teammates. "I just tried to be aggressive and be in attack mode to get to the rim," he said. "If the drive is there, I take it. If its not, Ill do something else. I just use my basketball instincts." Cleveland has lost four straight and played again without point guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined for three games with a strained left biceps. Houston made its first four shots and took a quick lead in snapping a three-game road losing streak. The Rockets also strengthened their hold on the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoff race. Chandler Parsons scored 16 points for Houston while Patrick Beverly added 15. Dion Waiters led Cleveland with 26 points. Tyler Zeller added a career-high 23 points for the Cavaliers, who also played without forward Luol Deng (sprained left ankle). The Rockets played their reserves for most of the fourth and Cleveland cut into the margin. Harden had eight points and eight assists in the first quarter, which saw Cleveland coach Mike Brown call timeout twice in the first four minutes as Houston took a 17-4 lead. The margin reached 15 points in the second period and Houston shot 59 per cent in the first half. Cleveland scored the first seven points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 67-62, but Hardens five free throws sparked a 9-0 run and the Rockets regained control. His four-point play pushed the lead to 87-70. Harden hhit a 3-pointer from the top of the key moments later, then added a dunk and another 3-pointer as the lead reached 101-72.dddddddddddd "Obviously, Harden had a monster game," Brown said. Howard returned to practice Friday and participated in Saturday mornings shootaround, but didnt dress for the game. He played in each of Houstons first 66 games, but was a late scratch Monday, had a cyst removed from the ankle the following day and didnt play Thursday. "I dont think he feels quite good enough to play, but he feels much better," McHale said before the game. Houston is undefeated in the eight-time All-Stars absence. Howard scored 26 points and had six rebounds in the Rockets 106-92 win over Cleveland on Feb. 1. He averages 18.6 points and 12.4 rebounds for the season. Injuries and a brutal schedule have dropped Cleveland out of playoff contention. The Cavaliers are 2-8 in March and trail Atlanta by 6 1/2 games for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland, which has also dropped games to the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami and Oklahoma City in the streak, has lost eight of 10 and has dropped five straight at home. The Cavaliers fell behind by 24 points in Thursdays loss to the Thunder, a trend Brown is displeased with. "Thats two games in a row that weve come out and our first group has just been flat," he said. "Theyve been flat offensively, flat defensively. So its been an uphill battle, especially being short-handed." The difficult schedule continues Sunday when the Cavaliers travel to New York, which has won eight in a row. Cleveland was routed 113-86 on Jan. 30 at Madison Square Garden. The Rockets have won four straight and six of their last seven against the Cavaliers. Seth Curry, signed by Cleveland to a 10-day contract Friday, scored three points in eight minutes. Hes the younger brother of Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry. NOTES: Rockets guard Francisco Garcia isnt with the team because of personal reasons. ... In addition to missing Irving and Deng, the Cavaliers played without guard C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle) and forwards Anthony Bennett (strained left patellar) and Sergey Karasev (sore right knee). ... Seth Curry appeared in one game earlier this season for Memphis, playing four scoreless minutes. ... Houston plays at Charlotte on Monday. ' ' '