The New York Yankees have won the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Bronx Bombers signed the coveted Japanese ace to a seven-year, $155 million dollar contract with an opt-out clause after the fourth year.
BREAKING: Tanaka to #Yankees, seven years, $155M, opt-out after fourth year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 22, 2014
The 25-year old Tanaka makes his way to the Major League’s after posting a 24-0 record last year in the Pacific League. It also shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise that Tanaka ultimately chose the Yankees over the Dodgers (who were thought to be the favorite) and the Cubs who said they’d outbid anyone for the righty’s services. New York, like the Dodgers and Cubs have deep pockets and a larger platform for Tanaka. Casey Close, the agent of Tanaka is also the agent of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
More importantly though Tanaka offers a front end starter to pair with C.C. Sabathia. Of course though this means the Yankees probably wont get below the $189 million luxary tax.
