Former New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka re-signed a deal with the Japanese club after failing to get a contract in MLB this season.
The New York Yankees are playing out all cards this season. They are not leaving a single stone unturned to build a strong roaster for the upcoming MLB season. After retaining Aaron Judge for $360 million, the Bombers found a solid pitcher in Carlos Rodon. However, the fans were expecting a reunion with an ex-Yankee pitcher, which did not eventually take place.
Well, we are speaking about Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka ended his seven-year stint with the Yankees in 2020 and returned to his home country to play in NPB. He signed a two-year contract with Rakuten Golden Eagles. However, the pitcher hoped for a return with the Yankees this year as he entered the free-agent market. But to his disappointment, the Bombers did not show any interest in bringing him back on board.
No Reunion With The Yankees For Masahiro Tanaka
Former Yankee pitcher Tanaka hoped for a reunion with his former club for the 2023 season. Hence, he entered the free agent market. However, the Yankees did not show any interest in the pitcher as they went ahead with Carlos Rodon. Naturally, Tanaka sensed that the doors of MLB were closing in on him. Hence, he decided to re-sign with the Eagles and continue playing in Japan for one more season.
Meanwhile, rumors started circling that Tanaka himself chose to move to Japan by ditching the Yankees and the MLB. However, the pitcher came out and brushed off all the rumors. He made it very clear that the reason he joined the free agent market was to come back with the Yankees in MLB. However, when he heard different things from different people, he had to make the tough choice of moving away from the MLB for the sake of his career.
“When I became a free agent, honestly I wanted to sign another contract with the Yankees,” said Tanaka.
Tanaka Taking A Huge Pay Cut To Join The Japanese Squad
Masahiro Tanaka seems to be in a lose-lose situation here. After losing out on a Yankee contract, he resigned with the Rakuten Golden Eagles for the upcoming season of the NPB. However, the deal cost him a huge pay cut. Tanaka signed a 900 million yen 2-year deal with the Eagles in 2020. However, coming into 2022, the amount has come down significantly to 475 million yen for the pitcher for a one-year contract.
While addressing the pay cut questions, the 34-year-old said that he let the team down in these two years with his performance. He further added that when he came to the club after leaving the Yankees, the Eagles had a massive amount of expectation from him. However, in these two years, he could help the team with just four wins. Hence, he feels that he has betrayed the hopes of the fans. Moreover, he is ready to take the pay cut and wants to continue playing for the Eagles.
