Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka Is Leaving for Japan

The acquisitions of Kluber, and Taillon especially, seemed to indicate the Yankees were not focused on re-signing Tanaka, 32. Although other teams in the major leagues were interested, Tanaka opted to return to Japan.

The Yankees, known for spending their ample capital to get the players they want every off-season, have been somewhat more frugal by their standards this year. Taillon, for example, is under contract for only $2.25 million this year — a fraction of what Tanaka would earn — and is under team control for 2022 as well. And Adam Ottavino, a solid reliever, was traded to the Boston Red Sox this month in what amounted to a salary dump.

That left little room for Tanaka, who was reportedly seeking an eight-figure salary. Still, even with his departure, the Yankees’ payroll remains among the highest in the majors.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/sports/baseball/masahiro-tanaka-japan-yankees.html