New York Yankees free agent
Robinson Cano is embroiled in a child-support battle with the mother of his young son, who is hoping to drive up his relatively low $600-a-month payments to $25,000.
The All-Star second baseman, who made $15 million this past season, is often late with payments that go toward raising his 3-year-old son, Robinson Miguel Cano Castro, the child’s Dominican mom, Jackelin Castro,
told ESPN.
The 30-year-old Cano insists he’s paying the agreed-upon amount. But Castro says the payments are inconsistent.
Castro says payments for May and June were made on July 2, and July and August payments were made on Aug. 15.
“It’s like a crumb because I [have] to chase after that money,” Castro told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”
Cano hopes to receive long-term contract offers in the $300 million range as a free agent next season. And, even though $600 is a lot of money in the Dominican Republic — where the average yearly salary is $2,370 — but it's hardly comparable to Cano's salary. Castro’s supporters believe the child deserves more.
Castro’s lawyer, Wendy Diaz, said Cano should be paying closer to $25,000 a month.
“I believe the money he gives to his son, when he does, is not enough to feed the dogs of Robinson Cano’s house,” said Diaz.
Castro did not sign the deal, according to the report, but Cano has been making the payments. “The intention of him and his advisers was somewhat to intimidate me,” Castro said.
“His living circumstances, financially, socially and culturally, are very, very far from what the child’s experiencing and gets,” Castro.
Cano said he’s giving plenty to his kid beyond the monthly stipend.
“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 as many other things including toys and clothing,” Cano said in a prepared statement.
Whenever an innocent child is involved — common sense sometimes trumps contracts.
