Running Out of Patience

With the Yankees seemingly playing a game of chicken with DJ LeMahieu, each side trying to outlast the other in negotiations, another Yankee free agent remains in limbo.

Masahiro Tanaka's contract ran out at the end of 2020. While a partially torn tendon held him back from being the ace the Yankees dreamed of, he's been a reliable second starter. But at age 32, how much does he have left -- and how much will Brian Cashman or any GM be willing to pay for it? While Tanaka has gone 78 - 46 in the Bronx, what can be expected the next three seasons?

The new wrinkle in our tale spins from the recent trade of countryman Yu Darvish to the Padres. Along with the Mets and White Sox, San Diego has made the boldest moves this off-season. It's also five hours by air closer to Japan than New York. Plus, Larry Rothschild, Tanaka's pitching coach when he first arrived with the Yankees, now holds the same job at Petco Park. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal says that besides holding similar passports, Darvish and Tanaka are friends. 

Could it be that besides the efforts of San Diego GM AJ Preller, Tanaka is also hearing a sales pitch from Darvish?




 

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