The New York Yankees, as many have speculated, have landed Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka. The price? $20 million payable to his former team, Rakuten Golden Eagles. The pitcher is set to earn $155 million over 7 years with the Yanks.
The Yankees, who have missed the playoffs only twice in close to two decades, have certainly re-tooled. Earlier this off-season they ambitiously added outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran as well as catcher Brian McCann. Combined with Tanaka’s hefty payday, the four big contracts total $438 million – far surpassing some countries’ GDP.
Here are some highlights worth noting:
- $22 million in each of the first six seasons
- $23 million in 2020
- Tanaka can terminate the deal after the 2017 season (and become a free agent)
- Biggest contract for an international free agent
- His contract is only behind pitchers: Clayton Kershaw ($215 million), Justin Verlander ($180 million), Felix Hernandez ($175 million) and CC Sabathia ($161 million)
It is expected that Tanaka will join Sabathia, Kuroda and Nova in the Yankees rotation with Phelps, Pineda, Nuno and Warren looking to earn the 5th spot.
