Masahiro Tanaka has been all everyone has talked about since the off season has started. The top pitchers on the free agent market haven't signed anywhere and it's January. The reason was because of Tanaka. Tanaka was the number one pitcher on the market and he hasn't even thrown a pitch in the major leagues yet. The Yankees obviously think he is going to be an ace giving him 155 million over seven years. Everyone loves to downgrade the NPB or the Nippon Professional baseball League. I'm not saying its the MLB because it's not, but it's not triple a either. There are a lot of talented players in the NPB and his stuff translates over well. His fastball is low-to mid 90s and he has a Kuroda-esque splitter and slider that sits in the low-80s. All plus pitches according to scouting reports. Now needless to say Tanaka is not the savior of this team. He is a HUGE piece. Only 25 years old but a bit of an unknown especially for the amount of money they are giving them. Two of the biggest keys to this team are the guys coming back i.e. Teixeria, and Jeter. There is not one stable place on the Yankee infield. The pitching is even bigger because of Sabathia, Tanaka, and the fifth starter. The fifth starter is the biggest wild card because if Michael Pineda is healthy, he could be a huge part of the rotation. He has shown promise while with the Marniners, but he has to be healthy. David Phelps is a guy I personally love but more as a jack of all trades kind of guy. I would like to see Adam Warren as a short reliever, along with maybe Mark Montgomery or Chase Whitley compete for a spot in the pen as well. But today is all about Tanaka as it should be. 7 years 155 is a lot for a guy who has never pitched in the MLB, but for a guy like Tanaka it's worth the risk for the possible return.
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