Bring Masahiro Tanaka back to the Bronx
It was a shock when Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees parted ways last offseason. It was even more of a shock when Tanaka signed a two year deal to return to Japan. Even though pitchers usually return to Japan to finish out their career, Tanaka does not seem to have that mindset.
That deal may not have been what it seemed at the time. There is an opt-out clause where Tanaka can void the final year of his contract, presumably with an eye towards returning stateside. Considering his frustration with how the season ended for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, and that he feels he has unfinished business stateside, a return is possible.
It is also a chance for the Yankees to right a wrong. Instead of keeping Tanaka, they opted for Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon, hoping that two arms for that price would make more of a difference. Taillon battled bouts of ineffectiveness while Kluber missed a large chunk of the season due to injury.
There is certainly an opening in the rotation for a pitcher such as Tanaka. They need a solid second option behind Gerrit Cole, and Tanaka can be exactly that. While they may still need another arm for the rotation, bringing Tanaka back would be a great start.
The New York Yankees never should have let Masahiro Tanaka leave last offseason. They may have a chance to right that wrong this year.