Yankees Sign Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka

After several months of rumors, Masahiro Tanaka has finally decided to become a New York Yankee. The Bronx Bombers officially announced the signing of the Japanese righty Wednesday afternoon to a seven-year contract worth $155 million dollars. The contract includes an opt out clause that will allows Tanaka to hit free-agency again at the tender age of 29, as well as a full no-trade clause.

Tanaka's contract is highest ever received by an international player transitioning to the major leagues and only trails fellow teammate CC Sabathia ($161 million) for the highest ever free agent contract for a pitcher. Along with the $155 million owed to Tanaka, the Yankees must also pay the $20 million posting fee to him former team in the Japan, the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Although the money seems steep, the Yankees had a desperate need for pitching and Tanaka is sure to help. Coming off an absolutely amazing season in Japan where he went an astonishing 24-0, posting a 1.27 ERA, Tanaka is likely going to slide right into the number two slot in the Yankees rotation.

Despite the addition of Tanaka, the Yankees still have some question marks when it comes to the rotation and will be banking on a bounce back season from CC Sabathia if they have any hopes of competing in the AL East. Sabathia was an abysmal 14-13 with a 4.78 ERA in perhaps his worst season as a pro. The Yankees finished 12.0 games out of first place and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Tanaka and Sabathia will also be joined by Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova, David Phelps, and Michael Pineda, rounding out the Yankees rotation.