New York Yankees Sign Japanese Pitcher Tanaka

As part of their major revamp, New York Yankees signed Japanese free-agent Masahiro Tanaka on Wednesday.

 Photo credit: thesportsquotient.com

The 25-year old starter agreed with a seven-year, $155 million contract with the Yankees, which includes an opt-out clause after the fourth year.

“We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to win,” Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenneras told the Associated Press.

The right-handed Tanaka is a big addition for the Yankees who have had struggles with their pitching staff.

With this deal, Tanaka got the largest contract ever for an international free agent and fifth-largest for a pitcher.

Other teams who bid for his services are Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Since 2007, Tanaka was 99-35 with a 2.30 ERA and 1,238 strikeouts in 175 games playing for Rakuten Eagles.

Though a free-agent, the Yankees still paid for Tanaka’s Japanese team with $20 million posting fee under the new system.

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