As rotation options continue to come off the board in free agency — albeit at a slow pace — Masahiro Tanaka remains one of the market’s top unsigned options. With Corey Kluber set to join the Yankees’ rotation, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that although Tanaka and the Yanks are still in touch, there’s a “good chance” he’ll be pitching elsewhere in 2021. Recently, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, Tanaka has been seeking a one-year deal worth $15MM or more.
Heyman said on MLB Network today (video link) that Tanaka and the Yankees had discussed a two-year deal, although at this point that wouldn’t be possible without exceeding the luxury tax limit. Kluber’s $11MM deal and the $15MM annual value on DJ LeMahieu’s six-year deal bring the Yankees within just a few million dollars of the $210MM luxury barrier, which the Yankees reportedly hope to avoid. The moment Kluber agreed to terms, a new landing spot for Tanaka appeared to be in the cards (barring a change of heart from the Yankees on the tax line).
Tanaka himself recently indicated that a return to his native Japan wasn’t out of the question, and Heyman suggests that there’s “strong interest” from teams in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he may find a larger deal than in North America. Martino tweeted late last week that several around the industry view a return to Japan to be increasingly likely for Tanaka.
At the outset of free agency, a two- or even three-year deal for Tanaka, a steady workhorse in the Yankees’ rotation, appeared to be within reach. Multi-year deals for starting pitchers have been virtually nonexistent to this point, however. Mike Minor’s two-year, $18MM contract with the Royals is the lone multi-year deal that has been signed by an established starting pitcher so far this offseason. Japanese righty Kohei Arihara (Rangers) and former Mets righty Chris Flexen (Mariners) both signed small two-year arrangements, but those were speculative low-cost fliers based on their work overseas — not the type a known commodity with Tanaka’s track record would seek.
If Tanaka is indeed seeking a one-year pact at the aforementioned annual rate, it’s hard to blame him. After all, Kluber secured $11MM despite pitching just 36 1/3 innings in 2019-20 combined. Drew Smyly turned five starts with the Giants last year into his own $11MM guarantee. Charlie Morton, five years older than Tanaka, commanded a $15MM sum on a one-year deal even though he spent nearly a month of last year’s shortened schedule on the injured list due to shoulder troubles.
The 32-year-old Tanaka missed his first two starts of the 2020 season due to a concussion sustained when he was hit by a comebacker during Summer Camp, but he went on to make 10 starts for the Yankees with a 3.56 ERA and 4.07 SIERA. The UCL tear that Tanaka sustained early in his MLB career but rehabbed without Tommy John surgery continues to loom over him, but at this point it’s hard to question his durability. From 2016-19, the righty averaged 30 starts per season and six innings per start.
Outside the Yankees, interest in Tanaka hasn’t been widely reported on, though he’s surely fielded interest. The Padres were said last week to have considered Tanaka, and any team that missed on Kluber could certainly look to Tanaka as an alternative. A one-year deal would be nice way to keep his options open, but it doesn’t appear out of the question that Tanaka could command a more lucrative contract in NPB — not after Tomoyuki Sugano agreed to a four-year, $40MM deal with opt-outs after each season.
Blue Jays should offer him $20-mil. Fits with the upcoming arms needing more time in the minors. Buys the team some time and could teach Pearson a trick or two.
$15 million, yes. $20 million, no.
It’s one year. They aren’t close to luxury. Why hold back $5-mil? Toronto needs to up the price.
So many posters on here love acting like its their money, not a billionaires
Marty Marty Marty….oh when will you learn. Jays fans support the team financially. It is their money. Didn’t know baseball was free for fans but glad you cleared that up with your infinite wisdom.
@WereAllJustGuestsHere
As a Yankees fan that’s watched him over the years, I totally agree with you and that $5 million may be the difference in getting him in a Jay’s uniform instead of going back home to Japan.
He’s been pretty solid almost his entire time in New York, save for one playoff start this year with the rain delay (which ultimately didn’t end up being as bad as it seemed it was going to be).
A lot of people point to his numbers the third time through the order and act like it negates his value entirely and means he’s a garbage starter. However that’s a trend for pretty much all pitchers across the entire league.
Tanaka’s “swift decline” also lines up pretty well around the time analytics departments really took note of that trend and batters started being more aggressive at the plate in their third at bat.
That’s not to say that he hasn’t declined at all and that he’s the same pitcher he was 4-5 years ago, I’m just saying there’s a bit more to his decline than meets the eye and he’s still a quality starter and relatively healthy.
A team looking to take that next step with some young starters should find plenty of value in a deal around that range. Vet leadership and the durability to take the ball every fifth day over a season, aren’t always readily available in the same player either.
@WereAllJustGuestsHere—Actually, a pretty large chunk of [Canadian] Jays fans (and non fans) are likely indeed supporting the team financially. Especially when one considers the limited competition of major Telecom corporations within the country. The majority of customers have not choice but to pay for their internet/cable/cellular service(s) via Bell or Rogers. Heck, I hate and avoid Rogers’ services (as do many), even so I’m indirectly giving them my money by using TekSavvy for my internet. TekSavvy’s cable Internet offerings rely on Rogers—–so I suppose I am one of those fans who support the team financially. Penny’s in comparison, mind you, but pennies nonetheless.
mutebychoice – thank you. I’ve watched Tanaka enough to know he’s the type of pitcher the Jays could certainly use, and if he is looking for just 1-year then the Jays absolutely should overbid and acquire him. Their gain is the Yankees loss. If he does not perform well, that’s ok. It’s only for one season. This would be a win-win, and I do not think my fellow Jays fans understand the situation or just what Tanaka brings to the table.
One Bite – you know it. I’m supporting the team in some capacity too. And Rogers is well compensated by us fans, whether it’s baseball or otherwise.
Yes indeed TO needs to make up for that atrocious Tax Rate! No one signs in TO without making it up in $! Who knows USA could easily pass Canada’s Tax Rate with the Promises of the New Regime to do just that..just an FYI!
Same thing always goes in NHL as well…maybe not for much longer though!!
Woah, autocorrect is ducking killing me.
*pennies
No one is going to play in Toronto unless the Jays overpay. Pay up or get left in the dust of the other East teams – Baltimore is actually looking not terrible for the first time in a long time, the Jays have no choice but to overpay if they want to sign FA’s.
Agree all the way. Adding the Asian influence, will only influence more Asian players in the future to join Toronto.
Potentially. It would be smart considering the strong Asian population in and around the Toronto area.
This (racist) statement has been made by literally every MLB team homer anytime a Japanese player signs with their team. The Mariners said it for years and look at all their titles from it. Now you just said a racist thing for no reason.
Explain to me how that’s a racist statement? I don’t think his statement is correct, but i definitely don’t think it’s racist. Trying to add players from all backgrounds could help influence free agent choices. In MLB the show’s dynasty mode, having “compatriots” is a way to increase player morale. Im sure the mechanic isn’t perfect, but it’s still a plausible outcome. Teams nowadays are trying to get bilingual coaches. Is it because they are “racist” and assume foreign players would need someone who speaks their native language?? No… they do it because those coaches can help connect and positively affect players. Ex: a Spanish speaking coach can more easily connect with latino players…
I bet you’re a ton of fun at parties, Marty. Take the “racism in everything” shades off for a moment.
Sorry bro but teams like Toronto, Seattle, LA, etc. have more of an Asian community than places like Cleveland or Denver. Nothing racist about that.
“All the Asian players will want to play with other Asian players” is an oft-stated statement that is not based in any kind of fact, as every team has Asian players in the system or bigs. That is racist. Maybe instead of putting focus on the person calling you out, you maybe look in the mirror for once?
Nope, you will NEVER do that…..
Presence of fellow nationals on the team matters, too. Look at the White Sox and their Cuban connection. I’m not saying it matters to everyone or is the primary factor when it does matter, but for some guys, race/nationality certainly play a role, just because they want to be around players/people with similar backgrounds and without the language barrier.
“Presence of fellow nationals on the team matters, too. Look at the White Sox and their Cuban connection”
No it doesn’t. The White Sox took the best possible players that were available to them in the moment and they all happened to be Cuban. This mindset needs to change, the game is already ridiculously global and the last bastions of upholding longstanding racism in the game all live online, making comments defending themselves. Pathetic.
Marty, that’s not racist and your hasty labeling of such a powerfully aweful adjective is the problem with our country today. You actually desensitize racism when applying it to people ubiquitously.
I have a major problem with that because real racists get a pass then ….. this is not that.
“Just admit you were raised wrong”
Wow brother, you sure come across as pretty darn pretentious talking condescendingly like that to people whom you know nothing about. Stop while you’re ahead dude, it’s just good advice
He never said Cleveland and Denver have no Asian communities, just that theirs aren’t as big as the ones in Toronto, LA, or Seattle. He also said nothing insulting about Asians themselves. I think you’re confusing racism with demographics. You’re also twisting what people say and then insulting them for it. Maybe try reading what’s actually being said and then argue those points, not your own made-up, twisted version of them.
As far as the White Sox go, you make it sound like a draft. It isn’t. Those players have to want to sign somewhere. They picked Chicago and a couple have even mentioned that one of the factors was the presence of other Cubans on the team. But you just go ahead believing the worst about others and let me know how that works out for you.
If you don’t like America… LEAVE!!!
If I was a baseball player thinking about going to Japan or Korea it would definitely be nice to have teammates that I could speak to in my native language. I guarantee it is also a consideration for players coming over here. People who find racism in everything are generally the racist themselves deep down. Stop with the self righteous bs.
It’s not racist. It’s stereotyping and there’s a world of difference between the two.
Racist? Probably not. A little bit ignorant? Maybe. Not a big deal though. Toronto has a large Asian population but not many Japanese people. 0.5%. Tanaka is Japanese. Also, Tanaka may be able to talk to Yamaguchi but Ryu not so much. Don’t forget that some Koreans still harbor bad feelings towards the Japanese for the way the Koreans were mistreated when occupied by the Japanese. So not all Asians may want to play with other Asians.
Tanaka via ESPN in 2019: ” In my wildest dreams, I never ever thought that I would ever play with Ichiro [with the Yankees in 2014]. It was incredible to be teammates with Ichiro for one year and play with him. He is a legend in Japan.”
Tell me again how it’s somehow racist to assume players want to play with others from their home country. You’re making mountains out of molehills Marty. You have no idea what impact a certain player will have on his team. There are probably countless guys in the NPB that grew up as huge Ichiro fans that would love to play for the Mariners because their idol did. Basic logic dictates that if the best/most famous Japanese player of all time spent his prime with one team, that team’s profile would be raised considerably amongst other Japanese players. Not everything is racist, and people like you dilute and obfuscate the true meaning of racism when you unnecessarily insert it into a conversation like this.
No comment
Saying players prefer certain cities is not not racism. Why? All things being equal players want to play where they are comfortable. It could be cultural, it could be quality of life, it could be playing close ( or away) from home (,depending on the player) or lifestyle ( plenty of players want nothing to do with pressure environments like New York or Boston). Being able to eat food you like and are familiar with is important. For example Gleybar Torres talked about making himself bilingual so he could navigate his way around and not have to depend on someone else and ( or) eat McDonalds when he is on the road.
i think it’s more to do with ethnic markets and restaurants than ethnic residents. though they are connected.
Don’t start with Marty. You’ll be labeled a racist for cheering for Hideki Matsui. Lol
If any player, regardless of race and ethnic background loves sushi there are some tremendous places within walking distance of the stadium. For Korean you hit up Mama Lee’s. Downtown restaurants are incredibly diverse. You can never get tired of the food in the city.
Just my opinion, but of the frequent commenters here lately, Marty McCrae leads the league in consistently bad takes on baseball and on life in general.
Sure lolzmets’ stalker-ish posts against other commenters are boring and annoying at the same time, tom burnansky’s black sox’s are ultra low-content (but short and harmless), and I guess DarkSide830 posts too much and uses bad grammar (at least if lolzmets is to be believed), but if there was a block list feature on this site, I think Marty would be the first one I would add.
Oh yeah. Very diverse eateries. Diverse people.. Toronto is a special city without a doubt. Unbelievable sports city, we truly support our own. Honestly shocked sometimes why baseball players especially don’t seem to sign here that often.
Just because you think that you are so “woke” doesn’t mean that everything is racist. Every team does NOT have asian players- that is NOT based on fact you just pulled it out of the thin air. It makes perfect sense that someone would want to be around others that can speak their language. That isn’t racist.
Everything isn’t racist just because you want to show off how “woke” you are. No one is impressed. No one cares. You don’t get a cookie.
you gotta consider quality instead of just existence. someone i had known for some time cooked in a korean restaurant in flint michigan. he had never cooked prior to employment. sushi chefs in japan spends years and years learning the trade starting with washing rice. they usually don’t touch fish for appx. 10 years.
Marty McGravy is the absolute worst. He’s angry because he is fat. You’ll notice he never responds when he gets called out, he just hides. Probably with a carton of ice cream and a family size bag of Fritos.
Viz, the quality is there in downtown Toronto. If you get a chance to take in a few games in Toronto and experience the downtown area you will be satisfied and then some.
Ballplayers, especially young and single players, can have too much fun in Toronto.
@Marty – where did any user, but you, make a correlation between Asian baseball players and World Series rings?
Ah, the 2020s white racist who isn’t part of another culture, yet speaks on their behalf and calls everyone else racist.
I hope you realize you’re a huge narcissist.
I wonder if McCrae wrote Tanaka a letter to inform him about his racism?
& when I was in Europe and when I’m in Mexico & the Caribbean I go to… American bars!
Gasp! Sputter! Clutches pearls! Suffers from a case of the vapours!
What the hell are you saying. The word “racist” is starting to become extremely overused.
Yeah, it’s the worst kind of paternalistic BS..
His comment wasn’t Racist. Grow Up
Just because Race is mentioned doesn’t constitute Racism. George Orwell is turning over in his Grave.
NewSpeak Graduate
The OP stated; “That is racist”.
So he clearly did mention “racism” & not just race. I’m not sure how an apocalyptic writer figures in any of this, @byron.
Nope it doesn’t just magically happen that they pick all Cuban players and all Cuban players want to go there because others are around. Probably makes it feel more like home. For example, The Cardinals offered Luis Robert more money than the Sox but he still went there for that reason, other Cuban players and culture. They have built that at the Sox organization, and according to what your saying Robert would have went to St. Louis because he was offered more, but I hate to break it to ya but he went to the Sox.
their are 2 things that i can not tolerate. 1st people who are intolerant of other people’s culture and 2nd THE DUTCH
Marty its very sad and troublesome how quickly people use the word racism . The statement in question is not racism. Racism is what my grandfather went through in the south as an Italian dark skinned immigrant in the 1930s.
Stewart, nice Austin Powers reference.
Tru dat
Lol tru dat but remember the phenom that signed with the Angels both outfielder and picture made the statement he doesn’t want to play on a team that already has a Japanese ball player why?
What? The $20 million? A 1 year $12 million is max value for him.
Then the Jays won’t land Tanaka. You’re really sweating ONE season of $20-mil for Tanaka? Why bother having a handle called “stepupjays” if you refuse to see the Jays step up? For ONE season of Tanaka, good or bad, it’s the right play to give SWR, Manoak, Kloffenstein and even Pearson time to improve. No luxury tax issues for the Jays.
Freaking Jays are paying $20-mil to Roark and Ray this year. Yet $20-mil is a no-fly-zone for Tanaka?
Yeah, you’ve got a great point there.
If the Yankees weren’t up against the cap they’d lock it down in a heartbeat. Even up against it I wouldn’t rule them out. Be bold, Blue Jays.
You are fired as my gm.
Tanaka remains a bigger star in Japan than Sugano and likely is still a better pitcher. If he can get a one year, $10M deal in Japan, return home and reenter the MLB free agent market a year on when finances might be clearer. A return to the Yankees could even happen once they reset their luxury tax.
I doubt he wants to keep moving around like that. He has a 5 year old.
Tanaka literally lives in Japan, and 5 year olds feelings dont matter, they dont know anything and could easily handle existing in multiple countries with millionaire parents for 6 months.
He literally lives in Japan, outside of the 8-10 months of baseball season (spring training and postseason counts).
Are you a parent? Doesn’t seem like it since any good parent cares about their 5 year olds feelings.
I remember being 5 years old and not remembering a damn thing about the vacations we went on.
You care too much about a millionaires lifestyle. He will do anything to make the most money in the limited time frame he has and nothing you say or do will change that. Going back to JP to make the most money and gain more value to come back to MLB is on the table whether you agree or not, its fact.
These vacations happened a year ago and you can’t remember? This explains everything.
Marty, please do not have kids.
lol, good one!
i was 3 when my family moved into a new house. they did not have time to put up a fish tank yet and i was riding a tricycle in the room. i remember the “accident” like it happened yesterday.
If you think a 5 year old doesn’t care that their father isn’t around than I have to conclude you don’t have one.
A five year olds feelings don’t matter? I think what you mean by that is explained by your second sentence..I hope?
Maybe the dumbest quote ever on this site- I remember not remembering! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Won’t be a problem, Marty McSuperSize is too fat and probably likes guys anyway!
In a couple years, I’ll have a five year-old. If I’m offered a job elsewhere, I’ll take into account his friends and feelings, but ultimately, we have to do what’s best for the entire family, not just him, and also take into account things he doesn’t understand, like his ability to make new friends.
I hope that’s more or less what he meant and the phrasing was just awful. If I’m wrong, then I hope he’s not a parent.
“5 year olds feelings dont [sic] matter”
Yikes.
As a single parent I find that sentiment to be concerning.
As a human being with empathy it’s a yikes. If you raise your kids thinking “they’re young, they won’t remember”, then you’ve already failed as a parent.
Touche.
Good heavens, my son’s memory of when he was five is much more clear than mine. I was still growing my company & trying to provide a good home. Ya know?
Whereas everyday was a new & different event for him.
I really hope dude is not planning on contributing to the gene pool.
Hard to contribute attending a party of 1.
Then I shall remain hopeful.
Hey lolzmets, why don’t you shut your mouth anyway? Usually the guys who are accusing other people of being fat or gay are the ones who are worried about that the most for themselves. I don’t have any skin in this game, but it is irritating to hear people be dissed for their weight or orientation. Talk baseball or keep your trap shut.
So people who are large and or gay is a problem for you?
He’s likely going to be moving around as is if he’s only signing a one year contract. If stability is what he wanted, he could have told the Yankees he’d take a one year $10M deal.
I moved when I was six and eight. Loved it. More difficult on teenagers.
As a yankee fan I fear that previous comment! Love what “Masa” has been able to do for NYY, and his success vs ALE would only threaten the bombers every time they face the Jays
Would love for the Mets to throw a year at him. Keep him at “home” in NYC so his life isn’t altered.
Mets definitely make sense on a one year deal, but only if they are going to go over the tax.
Why would Tanaka take the Mets over the cap?
By himself he doesn’t- but if they are determined to stay below it, I think there are better places to spend the remaining money. Including keeping $5 million or more in room to allow for mid-season acquisitions.
Ahh, now I understand your other comment. Has zero to do with the five year. Has everything to do with you.
Doesn’t make sense. Why would he take an offer that is smaller than what the Yankees offered him? Then he should have taken the offer from the Yankees right?
I have yet to see a report that says the Yanks gave him a firm offer.
Could possibly see Rangers getting involved with Tanaka, but more likely they look at Trevor Williams, Walker, Archer, or Richards. If they decide they need to add only one SP, they might offer Tanaka 1/12, if they decide to add two SP they should be able to get Williams and Archer for less than 12 combined and possibly secure some help for Gallo.
JMO, I would offer Tanaka before Bauer. I would love to see him wear the old English D
Wonder if he would take 2/22 offer from the Padres. Need him, or at least someone like him this season, then assuming Clevinger comes back strong and/or Gore is ready, we can move a starter. This would also allow moving Lamet to the closers job.
Clevinger ? No, they need him more for the what if of lamet and the you know, the unknown dark horse of paddack
Would be a nice add for the Padres. You can never have too much pitching.
Him and yu in San Diego for be legit
Dombrowski should bring him to Philly to reunite with Girardi, bring back Didi, and possibly get Gardner for an experienced, playoff tested bat off the bench. The ’21 Phillies can be the Yankees version of the 1983 club that went to the Series with veterans from the Big Red Machine.
I think the Angels still need a pitcher.
At least one. Not sure their strategy there, but I hope they’re not waiting for that situation to sort itself out. It never does. Just reference Cleveland’s OF situation – that’s been a mess since before Brantley left, and not addressing it only makes it worse.
Is it just me, or do the Yankees have paper-thin pitching depth? Even adding Kluber and Severino doesn’t make them that scary. I don’t see them as a factor this season, the first Judge/Stanton injury and they’re done. Rays, Jays, O’s and Boston are all angling for either a postseason berth or huge improvement too, are the Yankees even THAT far ahead of any of those teams (except the O’s)?
DJLM was a bad move, that money should have gone to pitching. Unless they’re planning on making a bunch of big trades, I’m not that impressed by them.
That’s why I so badly want Toronto to just make a couple key additions. They only finished one game behind NY last year and so far everything has been just lateral moves for NY while they close in on their budget. Add in the fact that Tampa has downgraded their roster, it should now be the time to push towards the top.
Hope the come up with a couple. They’ve been in on almost all of the quality players available. We’ll see. Springer and Realmuto?
I disagree on DJLM being a bad move, since they got 2 years of him for basically free. If it had been that price over 4 years, I’d agree, but when the discount is that significant for the guy who was your best player last year, you take it.
I also believe the Yankees are above the O’s and Red Sox by a significant margin. O’s have a ton of holes and the Red Sox are even worse on pitching. As for the Jays and Rays, I could see the top 3 of that division in any order. You do have a point, though, about their pitching depth being thin. Unfortunately for them, they’d need to do a salary dump to free up room to round out that rotation.
Is it just me, or did you embarrass yourself with that ridiculous racist post, then you got called out by thirty other posters? Too chicken to respond or defend yourself. And now you type this post, like you’re going to change the subject?
I’d rather he changed the subject. Baseball forums are more fun when we’re actually discussing baseball instead of politics, race, religion, or any other hotbutton issues.
On a legendary now defunct sports blog (River Ave Blues) we actually had some really good open dialogues about this kind of stuff sometimes.
Sports do offer a microcosm of society at large. & as the French say, everything is politics.
But we don’t have “productive dialogues” here.
So – yeah – it’s better off not even being opened up.
Seattle should be all over this. They have flexibility with money and he would help anchor the pitching staff.
With Lynn only being in Chicago for one year, I wonder if the White Sox make sense. Tanaka isn’t an ace, but he’s been pretty consistently solid and has been good in the playoffs. He wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, either, and would afford the Sox the chance to start Kopech in the minors, let Cease and Lopez battle for the #5 spot, and let Kelley, Stiever, and Crochet start in the minors or fill out the BP.
I think it does make sense for the ChiSox.
He makes sense for any team looking to compete.
As a Yankee fan I would like to have Tanaka-san back. I know people are soured on him but he is steady and you know what you get with him. Especially with question marks surrounding the rest of the staff – Kluber, Severino, German, Montgomery, Schmidt, etc. all have question marks.
I have the same question. Kluber is a huge unknown and for essentialy the same money, bring Tanaka back. Much lower risk. If I were Tanaka, I’d walk after passing on free agency a few years ago to stay with the Yanks.
I don’t think any Yankees fan has soured on him. He’s been the perfect teammate and a consummate pro. It’s just that his performance results didn’t justify his previous contract. Had the Yankees say to hell with the LTT, I’d say give him a deal. I’m resigned to believe they intend to duck below it unless they get blown out of the water with a trade offer. As a fan, I won’t be to happy if they don’t go over the LTT in ’22.
It’s sketchy that the Yankees prefer Kulber who’s barely pitched over him. What do they know?
His UCL is holding on with Elmer’s glue and duct tape.
Tidy, I think Kluber has been working out with a Yankees trainer of some sort. I’m not sure of his title, but he’s a Yankees employee.
A 1 year deal with Padres makes sense as a bridge to Clevenger and Gore in 22
I don’t like trying to predict these things, but seems like he is going back to Japan. A lot of teams could use him, but is he interested in cities in the midwest? Or small markets? I’d sure love him in TB, but $15 million would be half our outlays for next year lol.
Who knows? I mean, it’s not like the cities in the Midwest with baseball teams are filled with all backwater hicks wearing overalls and chewin’ tobacky. He could find the comforts he’s looking for in those cities. As for Japan, who knows? He hasn’t won, or even been to, a WS here. If he wants a shot at it, there are probably a few teams that would be willing to sign him to be their #3 or #4.
He should get at least 2/25 you would think, but 1/15 very realistic based on production… if not the NY teams or padres or angels, Phillies make sense w the Girardi connection and need for a SP beyond Nola wheeler and efflin
To save on the Luxury tax. Could the Yankees offer 2/20 Million. 5 Million this year and 15 next year.
@mlbnyyfan, His production is worth more than that. DJLM may have signed for a discount, but it doesn’t mean Tanaka will.
No.
CBT fines are determined by AAV. This stands for “average annual value”.
So in your example the AAV is $10 mil & that would be the number used to calculate their CBT hit both seasons.
I could see that. I’d rather sign him to 2/25 than 1/15. He’s only 32 and hasn’t been injured that much, so I’d be comfortable getting that second year for only $10M more. The biggest argument against that would be his title aspirations. Philly just hasn’t put it together, despite the talent there. If he wants to win, I just think there are other willing teams that have a better shot.
Agree… Phillies are strange… there’s real talent there, but it doesn’t seem to blend well… and not a lot of depth
Blue jays
angels on 1 year deal!
Based on pitching need, payroll flexibility, and the team’s prospects of contending in 2021, I’d say the following teams would make sense for Tanaka on a one-year deal: Angels, Twins, Blue Jays, Astros, White Sox. I suppose the Mets or Padres could continue their offseason push, but they seem less likely.
The Twins haven’t done anything yet this offseason, and they might be looking at the White Sox moves and be motivated to do something. So I’m going to predict that the Twins sign Tanaka.
Good call on the Twins. A solid replacement for Odorizzi.
Twins do make sense, but he might just choose to go back to Japan then
Probably. I think teams like the Twins and Jays should try to get him on a 1-year deal if that’s what he’s looking for. Twins have some young talent coming up and this can bridge the gap. Toronto too, although their arms still leave plenty of questions. I think they need to land Bauer.
Why would the Yankess pass on Tanaka who they know like family, and then give $11 mill, (essentialy the same $$) to Kluber, who they don’t? It seems to me that the upside is getting essentially same production from a different name, with a huge potential downside if Kluber doesn’t pan out. .Help me understand Cashman’s thinking here.
The Yankees are gambling to believe that Kluber will return to ace form or close to it. Tanaka is a #2 at his best. And they need someone else besides Cole who can carry them far into the playoffs. Yankees have coaches/trainers in their org who is very familiar with Kluber and his rehab.
White Sox please. 1/$12.5 mill year deal with an option and $2.5 mill buyout = guarantee of $15 mill.
Giolito
Keuchel
Lynn
Tanaka
Cease
I’m hoping the White Sox, too, on a 2-yr deal with an option for a 3rd. He’s only 32, so it’s not like he’s washed up. It will enable them to let their young pitchers develop slowly and see who’s worthy to take the slots left behind when Lynn, then Tanaka and Keuchel, leave. Or they pick up the proposed 3rd-yr option and have one slot open a year. Only thing I disagree with from your post is I’d rather have Kopech in the 5th slot, but if you’re talking Opening Day, you’re spot on.
Maybe 20m on a one year deal but even then that seems a bit much. I’d offer tanaka 2/25 but even then, the jays don’t really need a #3. We need a TOR arm. Hopefully one of Ray, Roark and Stripling can pitch well along with Pearson showing his potential.
Does anyone even know if Yankees offered the same as Kluber 1/11 Million and Tanaka turned it down? I like Kluber but Tanaka proven he’s a winner when it counts in October.
Kluber was great in 2016’s postseason. He struggled in 2017 and 2018, but he’s shown he can do well when it counts. I think there are a couple reasons the Yankees signed Kluber instead:
1. He was willing to go for a 1-yr deal, while Tanaka is probably looking for a multi-year. With the Yankees’ luxury tax issues, it’s plausible they’d rather any contract for another pitcher end after 2021.
2. They believe Kluber has the higher ceiling. If he’s fully recovered now, that’s probably true. Of course, he also has the lower floor.
I don’t think the yanks offered Tanaka at all. Their top priority was LeMahieu first, and wanted to sign a starting pitcher with a higher ceiling. I like the 2/$25 for Tanaka, but the only way this can happen is to move some contracts like Ottavino. But I still prefer Tanaka back over signing another reliever or left handed bat.
If the Padres are really going for it – they need to sign him now. After last year’s pitching collapse, they need all the help they can get.
Tanaka makes sense for the Twins as they need to replace Odorizzi and Hill. The Mariners could probably use a veteran at the top of their rotation if they are looking to turn the corner this season, Tanaka could also be a trade chip later on if the team struggles
Tanaka to the Padres on a one year deal worth 16-18 million dollars is my prediction.
Todays acquisition of Joe Musgrove for the Padres probably takes that option away
The Angels gave Matt Harvey $11M for one year, so $15M for Tanaka sounds like a steal. LOL.
Guaranteed Tanaka’s “partially torn UCL” will become a fully torn UCL immediately upon putting his Angels jersey on for the first time
Go back to Japan.
Your not a nice person must be a Yankee fan I’m I right
If he’s looking for $$$$ the Angels might be his best bet. They lost Musgrove and will never ever sign Bauer so there’s a lot of money not spent.
So, just to recap: 1. No one is sure where Tanaka will pitch in 2021, and 2. Marty McRae earned not one, but two golden sombrero’s on one article alone? We are approaching the pinnacle, my friends.
He’s quite a showman.
“the Yankees want to stay under the luxury tax” is a claim that’s been repeated EVERY SINGLE YEAR, since Hal took over the Yankees 12 years ago.
I think they only did it once, in that whole time. So you guys are batting under .100 with this. Just quit swinging already.