Tanaka

After all that waiting, Masahiro Tanaka is coming to the Yankees! Terms of the deal are for 7 years and $155 million with a 4th year early termination option.

There are two ways to look at how this deal was made. The first is "The Sale." The Yanks sold Tanaka on New York. Not only do they have two of the best Japanese players to ever come to America already on the team, but they also have the great history with Matsui (overlooking Irabu and Igawa). Tanaka's camp already made it clear that he wanted to play in one of three cities, LA and New York being the top. There is an international flair to New York as well as the nightlife and instant popularity with the fans. The other way to look at this deal is simple: "The Money." Perhaps the Yanks outbid every other suitor. Perhaps they were more lax with the contract terms.

For the Yankees, this gives them what should be a front end starter. Combined with an amazingly slim Sabathia, experienced Kuroda, and enigmatic Nova, and the Yankees suddenly have a top end rotation for the next one to three years. That three year estimate is very wishful thinking, but there is now nothing to say they cannot add additional pieces as the years go on in this contract. The last pitching spot can be filled by in house players, cheap free agents, or one last jewel in the crown: Matt Garza. Again, that is very wishful thinking. Even if we have to stick with David Phelps or Michael Pineda as 5th pitcher, the offense should be much improved to provide him the ability to win games.

With a plethora of additions to both offense and now pitching, the Yanks are looking like a real contender again, at least for this year. Some holes do remain. They need a solid infielder and some relief pitching. I am a big fan of minor league call-ups doing relief work. In fact, the farm system definitely has some options there. But with the A-Rod suspension official, it now seems that the Yanks have opened the purse strings and are competently building a good team for this season. It is a great time to be a Yankee fan!