The Yankees are now legitimate contenders.
After months of speculating and waiting, New York has claimed their prize. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees have agreed to a seven year deal worth $155 million, with an opt-out clause after four years. This contract makes Tanaka the fifth highest paid starter in the majors, behind Kershaw, Verlander, King Felix and CC.
In addition to the player contract, the Yankees will fork over the $20 million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles, Tanaka’s former team. That money will not count against the luxury tax, but it appears that with this signing, New York has officially ditched Plan 189.
With more questions than answers in the rotation coming into the offseason, New York needed another frontline starter. They needed a big arm to help justify an already good winter; one that saw Jacoby Ellsbury trade his red socks for pinstripes and Brian McCann head north of the Mason Dixon line. CC Sabathia had his worst year of his career in 2013, Hiroki Kuroda fell apart in the second half and Ivan Nova is still hit or miss. With Tanaka, at least on paper and by his resume, the Yankees are once again heavy favorites in the American League.
Tanaka, 25, is coming off an incredible season with Rakuten. He went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA, while walking just 32 in 212 innings. His jump to the majors couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with the lack of high-end talent on the free agent market. For his career with Rakuten, Tanaka went 99-35 with a 2.30 ERA over seven seasons.
While not considered to be a talent like Yu Darvish, Tanaka is a more polished pitcher who has command of all of his pitches. He compares most favorably to Kuroda, who came over to the States and immediately found success. The Yankees have been burned by other international signings, such as Hideki Irabu, Jose Contreras and Kei Igawa. Tanaka is considered to a be a “can’t miss” pitcher. As Derek Jeter says, you play the games on the field, not on paper. However, on January 22, 2014, the Yankees appear to be a very strong club.
BREAKING: Tanaka to #Yankees, seven years, $155M, opt-out after fourth year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 22, 2014
