Robinson Cano's agent and the New York Yankees have discussed reaching a long-term contract before the star second baseman hits the free-agent market after this season.

The Yankees traditionally refuse to negotiate any extensions on existing contracts, but owner Hal Steinbrenner repeatedly has indicated he might make an exception for Cano, who will become a free agent next winter.

Yankees president Randy Levine confirmed Wednesday that the team has talked to Cano's agent, Scott Boras.

"We've had conversations with Scott," Levine told ESPNNewYork.com. "We recognize Robbie is one of the best players in the game, and he is going to be entitled to a significant long-term contract."

Levine's comments came one day after Steinbrenner told a small group of reporters that the Yankees had contacted Boras.

"We expressed to Scott how much we liked Robbie and what a great Yankee he's been, and we hope he continues his career here for a long time to come," Steinbrenner said. "We just indicated to him, on a very preliminary basis, that we were willing to consider a significant long-term contract, and left it at that. There's nothing really to report since then."

Boras confirmed that he and the Yankees had been in conversations for the past three weeks, stating the sides planned to "continue the dialogue."

However, Boras did not indicate whether he and Cano would consider signing an extension with the Yankees without testing free agency next winter.

Cano, 30, will play this season under a team option that will pay him $15 million.