Tanaka says Yankees wanted him most

I can think of 155 million more reasons why

Man, he can't win a championship with the Yankees. No bullpen, no closer, no hitting and with all the media distraction on the A-Rod circus, its not a good baseball decision. But damn 155mil, congrats. That Kershaw deal killed any chance for him to get to the Dodgers, which will almost guarantee a world series appearance with the best pitching lineup in years. But oh well.

Great pinch heater to replace Suzuki.

The bullpen was never a problem and with Mariano Rivera's retirement, David Robertson should be ready to take the closer reins. "No hitting"?? McCann? Beltran?? Ellsbury??? OK, whatever you say. Now I will admit they have some infield issues with the aging Jeter and in need of an A-Roid replacement at third but there is no doubt the Yankees are championship contenders. Kershaw choked in the playoffs last year when it counted the most. Good luck there.

highball7JAN. 23, 2014 - 06:11PM JST Man, he can't win a championship with the Yankees. No bullpen, no closer, no hitting and with all the media distraction on the A-Rod circus, its not a good baseball decision. But damn 155mil, congrats. That Kershaw deal killed any chance for him to get to the Dodgers, which will almost guarantee a world series appearance with the best pitching lineup in years. But oh well.

best pitching lineup in years? guaranteed a world series appearance?! sure they got locks with kershaw and greinke but lets see how ryu adjusts in his sophomore season. beckett/haren are great...if this was 2011.

I agree with highball: Yankees spending benefit all other teams which have eyes on WS. Can Yankees afford to get third base player?

I wish him the best of luck and the Yankees the worst of luck. I was kind of hoping for the Angels to go after him but we have been having bad luck lately throwing out big money to players that get injured or underperform.

Believe me he won't go 25-0 in the majors!!!

He was offered sushi, rice, and wonton soup for free for the rest of his life along with the 7year/$155mil contract. That is why he felt the Yankees wanted him more.

One of the reason forTanaka choosing the Yankees is having experience pitcher like Kuroda as a teammate will helps better understand the transition of playing in MLB. Kuroda understands the MLB hitters, the preparation, travel, cultural difference, and the pressure of performing in New York. Kuroda will help Tanaka substantially with the transition and Yankees management understands this. Ichiro might not be with the Yankees in 2014, but if he stays, he is not a pitcher so he might not be able to help much.

I like this young man's style, the kid has passion, want's to win, and New Yorkers already love this guy!!

We all wish MT the best of good luck and Happiness, and we can't wait for spring training..

Go New York go..

agreeing to a $155 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees.

On a related story, his take home will actually be somewhere around $90 million (after all the US taxes). He'll pay a marginal tax rate of 56.1% over the life of the contract, and up towards $2 million a year in NY state taxes, plus the medicare payroll tax.

Just wondering, how much will have have to "give" to the Japanese goernment? It seems amazing that he is going to be taxed over half of his income.

Angels did not have pitching stuff problems. Just needed power hitters on tours. At home in Anaheim, it was fine. Just on road. So, Mike and stuffs were not interested in Tanaka. Well, Both Dodgers and Angels like to have each league championship so they did not need Tanaka. Both teams are rich but they sure know how to spend money. Scully and Lasarda helping Mike?

Tanaka says he chose to play for the New York Yankees because they appreciated him the most

Ha! There's a particular name for women in the dating scene who use this kind of logic to equate expensive gifts to proof of appreciation and affection.

When asked what his goal will be, Tanaka’s response was direct: “To become World Champions.”

Strange...many, many of my Japanese friends like to mock the MLB's concept of the "World Series" producing the "World Champion" as being a prime example of the arrogant Americans. Guess they'll take it when it's convenient for themselves.

@sfip330: excellent analysis you wrote. He will be OK. Just Yankees are not candidate for MLB WS champ this season. We can watch spring training season very soon. . Boston, Dodgers and Angels and others have eyes on MLB World Series Champion spot now.