Masahiro Tanaka not returning to New York Yankees just yet

The New York Yankees had a possible ace in their back pocket. Masahiro Tanaka, who had taken off for Japan last season, had an opt-out in the two year deal he signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Given that he had only seemed interested in signing with the Yankees in terms of a major league team, and the Yankees’ holes in the rotation, a reunion appeared to make sense.

Those hopes have been dashed, at least for one more year. Tanaka announced that he will not be opting out of his contract and will return to the Golden Eagles next season.

New York Yankees miss out on Masahiro Tanaka again

Tanaka had expressed frustration with the Golden Eagles’ play last season, fueling the speculation that he would exercise that clause. Their struggles were evident in Tanaka’s statistics, as he posted a 4-9 record despite a 3.01 ERA and a 1.028 WHiP in his 155.2 innings last season.

The Yankees, meanwhile, had been relatively quiet this offseason. In fact, they had generated more news for the players they removed from their 40 man roster than for any signings they had made. It has been a puzzling strategy considering the holes that are on their roster and how general manager Brian Cashman stated that they would be looking to improve their team.

Tanaka would have done exactly that. While Gerrit Cole has been the ace the Yankees needed, the rest of the rotation is a question mark. Nestor Cortes may have pitched well last season, but he is hardly a given. The Yankees need that steady second arm.

Maybe they will be able to find that piece in free agency once the lockout comes to an end. Maybe, once the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is ratified, the Yankees will start to spend money and fill those holes in the roster. Until then, they will continue to look for that second starter.

There had been some hope that Masahiro Tanaka could return to the New York Yankees. Those hopes are over as he will stay in Japan for 2022.