Is Tanaka the next Darvish?

We’ve all seen the extreme amounts of money teams are willing to spend on Japanese prospects without even knowing they can measure up to the high level of talent present in Major League Baseball. Many players have made the successful transition from Japanese baseball but we’ve also witnessed some failures and a lot of wasted money along the way.  Look at Daisuke Matsuzaka: the Red Sox invested over $100M in him and, seven years later, he is playing minor-league baseball on a $1M contract.  Recently, the success of Yu Darvish has been a prime example of the advantageous possibilities that can emerge from the signing of a sought after prospect. No one will know until we see him in action at the start of April but the question is, will Masahiro Tanaka live up to the hype and prove that he is worth the $22 million per year the New York Yankees have agreed to pay him? Combining the $155 million he will receive through seven years and the posting fee of $20 million being paid to his former team, the Yankees have invested a total of $175 million all predicated on stats and awards he earned in Japan. In 2012, the Texas Rangers devoted nearly $108 million for Darvish between the posting fee and the $56 million he is promised through 2017. So far, Darvish has put forth two solid Major League seasons finishing 2^nd in AL Cy Young award voting in 2013 and remaining much more consistent than we have seen with other Japanese pitchers.

We all know Darvish and Tanaka were extremely dominant during their Japanese careers, both finishing their final seasons before being posted with winning records and exceptionally low ERA’s. In 2011, before Darvish began his career with the Rangers, he went 18-7 with a 1.44 ERA and ended the season with 276 strikeouts in 236 innings all while averaging 8.5 innings per start. Tanaka’s closing season in Japan produced even more impressive results in 2013 when he went a remarkable 24-0 in the regular season with a 1.27 ERA earning him his second career Sawamura Award, given to the best pitcher in Japan. It’s no secret that both Yu Darvish and Masahiro Tanaka stood out among their fellow Japanese players but it takes a lot more than statistical data to be a successful Major League pitcher. Darvish has proven himself worthy thus far and Tanaka’s previous dominance points toward a similar success. We will find out soon enough whether Tanaka can handle Major League hitters and remain consistent despite the overwhelming attention he will receive playing in New York.

How Good is Masahiro Tanaka?

Recently the New York Yankees signed Japanese star, Masahiro Tanaka to a 7 year, 155 million dollar contract. Tanaka was a wrecking force in Japan putting up strategic numbers. The Yankees overpaid for a pitcher who hasn’t thrown one MLB pitch. Is he the next money burner? Igawa? How good is Masahiro Tanaka? Well we’ll find out.

Sure Tanaka has been the best pitcher in Japan but the MLB is much more skilled. Time and time again old retired MLB players go to Japan and tear it up. For example Casey Mcgee.
As well as that the surroundings and conditions are different. In Japan the ball is smaller and the laces are bigger.
There are also many concerns about his arm. He has pitched many innings in Japan.  Many questions about the Yankee ”hiro”. In Conclusion Masahiro Tanaka won’t be as good as he was in Japan. When Tanaka settles in and gets used to his surroundings, I can a sure you this wont be the last time you here of ”Makun”, Masahiro Tanaka.

How Masahiro Tanaka Would Have Impacted The Cubs

I think Masahiro Tanaka would have helped the Cubs A LOT in the near future if he would have signed with them. Tanaka would have taken a lot of pressure from Samardzija and Wood. Tanaka would have been the ace for the Cubs, which, in my opinion, would have made Travis Wood the number 2 starter and Jeff Samardzija number 3. Yes, I think Wood is the Cubs’ “ace”, for he had a lower ERA and a lot more quality starts then Samardzija. Samardzija does have ace material at times: he can run his fastball up to 98 MPH and had 9.0 K/9 in comparison to Wood’s 6.5. Samardzija also has a devastating splitter that is his out pitch. Yes I know he pitched 200 innings and struck out over 200 batters. I just think that Samardzija needs to lower his ERA to the mid to upper 3 and have more quality starts and he can easily be the ace. Samardzija had a 4.34 ERA versus Wood’s 3.11.  Back to Tanaka, if he would have signed with the Cubs it would have also taken some pressure off of pitching prospects CJ Edwards, Pierce Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, etc. Tanaka would have definitely added a measurable amohnt of wins for the Cubs. No, not making them a playoff team in 2014, but with young help of Baez, Bryant, Almora, and Soler on the way, the Cubs could and should be ready to make a splash in 2015 or 2016.   What I’m trying to get at is that Tanaka would have helped the Cubs win sooner and would have given them a legitimate number 1 ace.

Recap of Yankees offseason

This offseason, the New York Yankees have spent $471 million dollars on free-agent signings. Next, I will be breaking down all of the Yankees signings from Masahiro Tanaka to Kelly Johnson.

Masahiro Tanaka

Tanaka signed a seven-year contract worth $155 million with the Yankees on January 22. Last season in Japan, Tanaka posted a 24-0 record with a 1.27. He was top pitcher available this offseason in front of many well established pitchers. At just 25 years old, Tanaka has plenty of baseball left in him. Tanaka will likely be the Yanks number 2 starter behind CC Sabathia.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury signed a 7-year $153 million dollar deal with the Bronx Bombers on December 4th, 2013. His contract was the third highest for an outfielder ranking behind Matt Kemp and Manny Ramirez. It’s also the fifth highest contract for a Yankee ever behind A-Rod, Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and Masahiro Tanaka. Last season with Red Sox, Ellsbury hit .298, 9 HR, 53 RBIs, and 52 SB. Ellsbury hit 32 HRs in 2011, and batting left-handed in Yankee Stadium could help him reach those numbers again. Ellsbury played well in the 2013 postseason, batting .500 in the ALDS and .318 in the ALCS. In the World Series, Ellsbury started the  series-winning rally in Game 6 with a single and earned his second ring as a member of the Red Sox. Ellsbury will likely bat leadoff and play center field for the Yanks.

Carlos Beltran

On December 6, 2013, Beltran signed three year $45 million deal to join the New York Yankees. Beltran reportedly received a $48 million dollar deal from another team, but elected to join the Yankees instead. Last season with the Cardinals, Beltran hit .296, 24 HR, and 84 RBIs. At 36, Beltran is closing in on the end of his spectacular career. Beltran, a switch hitter, hit .315 batting left-handed last season. Yankee stadium is a lefty’s heaven, so I think Beltran will play very well against RHP. also, 71% of Beltran’s at-bats came from left side of the plate last season. He will likely share time in right field with Alfonso Soriano and will see time at DH as part of a rotation of veteran players with tired legs. Beltran hit .267 with 2 HR and 15 RBIs in the 2013 postseason, helping his then St. Louis Cardinals to their second World Series in three years. Beltran will likely bat in the three spot for the Yanks in 2014.

Brian McCann

McCann signed a 5-year $85 million dollar contract with the Yankees on November 23, 2013. Injuries plagued Brian McCann in 2013, as he only played in 102 games. However, McCann still found a way to be productive. He hit .256, 20 HR, and 57 RBIs in just 402 plate appearances. McCann, another lefty, can be very productive hitting in Yankee Stadium if he can find away to stay healthy. McCann will likely bat in the 4 or 5 spot for the Bronx Bombers in 2014.

Brian Roberts

Roberts signed a 1-year $2 million dollar deal with the Yankees on December 17, 2013. The 36 year old hasn’t played in more than 77 games since 2009, battling concussions and injuries to his neck, back, knee, abdomen, hip and hamstring. Roberts, a two time all-star, will face the tough task of replacing Robinson Cano, who signed a $240 million dollar deal with the Mariners. If Roberts can stay healthy, he will split time with Kelly Johnson at second.

Kelly Johnson

On December 4, 2013, Kelly Johnson signed a one year $3 million dollar contract with the Yankees. Johnson hit .235, 16 HR, and 52 RBIs with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Johnson will share time with Brian Roberts with at second, if he can stay healthy. If Roberts is on the DL for an extended period of time, I think Johnson can excel as the teams starting second baseman. Batting left-handed will help out Johnson a lot, playing in the ball park which allowed the most homeruns to left-handed hitters in 2013.

After missing the playoffs for just the second time since 1998, the Yankees will look to back on track in 2014.  After signing a combined 18 all-star appearances, I think the Yankees will finish second in the AL East behind the Red Sox, and clinch a wild card birth.