Masahiro Tanaka Close To Returning To Japan
4 years agoFree-agent starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is reportedly advancing negotiations to return to Japan and play for his original team, the Rakuten Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. Tanaka could receive a formal offer from the Eagles this week. The Yankees additions of Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon in the last 10 days has made it unlikely that they'd re-sign the right-hander. The 32-year-old played in Japan from 2007-13 and signed a seven-year, $155 million deal with New York before the 2014 season. He went 78-46 with a 3.74 ERA in 173 starts, including going 5-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 10 playoff starts for the Bombers. His 2020 season was delayed due to a concussion, but he went 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA in 10 starts and would've been a solid fantasy arm had he stayed in the States. It's not official yet, but it looks like fantasy managers will be crossing Tanaka off their cheat sheets in 2021.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch