On Tuesday, ormer New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka explained his reasons for leaving the Rakuten Eagles as an unsigned free agent rather than staying on with his only pro club in Japan and taking a huge pay cut.
“It’s a fact that I got the offer (for the new season), but it left me feeling I was surplus to the team’s needs,” Tanaka told reporters at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, two days after he made the surprise announcement on his YouTube channel without any reference to an offer from the team.
“I harbored the impression that they are no longer counting on me, so I thought it would be best to play where I’m wanted.”
According to the team, the 36-year-old opted to be released rather than accept a pay cut of 40 percent or more of his current salary, which gives players the option to be handed their release if they choose.
“I’ve decided I will not sign a contract with Rakuten for next season and will look for a new team,” the right-hander said Sunday.
Rakuten Eagles Senior Director Kazuhisa Ishii said, “Ultimately, it was his decision to get his release.”
Tanaka is three wins shy of Japan’s iconic milestone of 200 in his top-flight pro career, with 78 from his seven seasons with the Yankees from 2014 to 2020.
Since returning to the Eagles in 2021, Tanaka has a 20-33 record. He appeared in just one game for the Eagles this year and took the loss in a Sept. 28 start against the Orix Buffaloes.
“Although I have no idea where I might be playing next season, I’m in good condition and getting in good training,” he said. “I’m now starting toward next season, when I want to pitch well and compete to make up for not pitching this season.”
Tanaka moved to the Yankees via the posting system after going 24-0 in 2013 and leading Rakuten to the Pacific League pennant and a Japan Series championship.
“They raised me from nothing and gladly sent me to the majors. It’s been a tough four years (since returning) in which I couldn’t meet the club’s or the fans’ expectations, but I’m grateful,” said Tanaka as he sent his words to the shocked fans in Sendai.
“Getting emotional was the last thing I wanted, so I took time to go through many things…It would have been best if I could play for the Eagles until the end, but there are only a limited number of people who can play for long and retire at the club they first joined. It couldn’t be helped.”
