For the last seven years, Masahiro Tanaka has been one of the most reliable and consistent pitchers on the New York Yankees pitching staff, but reports indicate he could be weighing a potential move back to his native Japan to play for the Rakuten Eagles in 2021.
Tanaka, 32, is considered the best free agent pitcher still unsigned (with the exception of reigning Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer), and has shown during his career with the Yankees what he can bring to a team.
Both an elite strikeout producer and a master of command, Tanaka owns an 8.5 K/9 rate and a 1.8 BB/9 rate during his MLB career since his debut in 2014, when he earned his first of two All-Star selections as a rookie.
In 174 career games (173 starts), Tanaka has gone 78-46 while the Yankees have won 103 of his 173 starts. He's has never had a losing season in MLB, and his postseason track record has been even more impressive.
Up until some uncharacteristic scuffles during the 2020 postseason, Tanaka pitched to a remarkable 1.76 ERA and a .157 BAA over eight postseason starts between 2015 and 2019, including a pair of sensational ALCS performances against the sign-stealing Astros of 2017.
"One of the great things about my job is the relationships that you form. Getting to manage not only great athletes and special performers but special people and competitors, and that's what Masa is," Aaron Boone said this past offseason about his time working with Tanaka. "He's obviously great at his craft. He's the ultimate professional."
From teammates to coaches to competitors, the mild-mannered yet fiery competitor Tanaka has gained immense respect from across the league over the last seven years, which included four Opening Day starts for the Bronx Bombers.
Perhaps the greatest testament to his fortitude and toughness is the fact he has been able to pitch through a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) diagnosed back in 2014, electing to rehabilitate it rather than undergo surgery.
"[Masahiro] was a tremendous import from Japan. He’s had a seamless transition," Brian Cashman said earlier this winter. "He’s really impacted us in such a positive way."
If this is the end of Tanaka's time in pinstripes, he'll go down as one of the franchise's most effective starters in history even without the accolade of a World Series championship on his résumé.
The Rakuten Eagles, the team with whom Tanaka spent the first part of his professional career, would no doubt be thrilled to bring back such an esteemed pitcher to its rotation as they prepare for Spring Training in less than a week.
For all the latest news and developments on the Yankees this offseason, be sure to check your local listings for the newest edition of Yankees Hot Stove airing on YES Network.
