Masahiro Tanaka

New York Yankees Opening Day Predictions: Pitching

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New York Yankees, Gerrit Cole

As we inch our way closer and closer to the start of the regular season, speculations abound about who will cut the New York Yankees. With Severino, Paxton, and German all-seeing delays to their seasons (in Severino’s case, completely losing 2020), it’ll be interesting to see just how the team constructs their rotation between now and the end of German’s suspension.

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Don’t Go the Opener Route

The Yankees have been out in the open over their embrace of analytics. Which is why it was so confusing to see the Yankees (or any team) go the route of the opener. The opener runs completely against the notion of analytics in any professional sport. Throughout a 162 game season, you’re going to rest a reliever for throwing an inning of work on three consecutive nights. If this happens the night before an opener appearance, you set yourself back for the opener, as opener starts are all hands on deck, ever 4th or 5th day in 162 games. Their bullpen has been overused in 3 consecutive seasons, giving out during the playoffs when we need them the most. Treat the pen like a bullpen, and we’ll get back to the fall classic.

The Gimmies

Gerrit Cole is starting for the Yankees. He’s the best starting pitcher in baseball, and look at all the money the Yankees gave him?! Barring the start against the Tigers, he’s having an excellent Spring Training.

Masahiro Tanaka is also a gimme. The 7-year veteran loses his effectiveness around the All-Star break, and with the lack of depth in our rotation from last year makes the final year of his deal a necessity that he started.

JA Happ is having an excellent spring. So much so that people are forgetting entirely about how lackluster he was last season. If he can carry this into the regular season till, about, June, that’s all we need from him.

Jordan Montgomery is performing beyond expectations. I was surprised to see how much the Yankees are letting Monty cut loose, but it’s necessary for not only his development but the security of the rotation depends on it.

Can Garcia Make the Jump?

Deivi Garcia was spared the first round of cuts, putting him squarely in the fight between him, Loaisiga, and Cessa for the 5th spot in the rotation. Garcia ended 2019 in Scranton, but can he impress enough in the last few starts of the spring to leapfrog staples in the pen-like Loaisiga and Cessa? Or will this be Luis Cessa’s opportunity to show what he truly has as a starter? I think it will ultimately boil down to those two.

Let’s see what happens in the next 2.5 weeks.

Yankees: Red Sox embarrass themselves as Yankees win 9-1

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

George M. Steinbrenner Field, in Tampa, Florida, was alive with excitement as the New York Yankees met the Boston Red Sox for their eleventh game of the young spring training season. The game was played under partly cloudy skies and a pleasantly warm temperature at game time of 81 degrees.

The Yankees starting pitcher was the number two in the rotation Masahiro Tanaka. It was Tanaka’s second start of the season, he got hammered in his first outing and had an ERA of 9.00. The Yankees faced Red Sox LHP Martin Perez.Tanaka was applauded from the Yankee faithful as he took the mound. He faced Andrew Benintendi, who led off for the Sox, and the “Tank” struck him out. Rafael Devers popped out to Gleyber Torres. Michael Chavis struck out, allowing Tanaka a perfect first inning. Martin Perez faced Yankee leadoff DJ LeMahieu, who is called the “Machine” due to him getting on base all the time, hit a ground ball through the center for a single. On a wild pitch to Brett Gardner, DJ advanced to second. Gardner ground out with DJ advancing to third. Gleyber Torres popped one in the infield, the throw to the plate was wide for and error, DJ, scored, and Torres went to second. Gary Sanchez swung and lost the bat into the back of the main deck that was caught by a Yankee fan in a Paul O’Neil shirt. Gary made it first, and Torres scored for the 2-0 Yankee lead.

Still in the first Luke Voit got an outfield single moving Sanchez to second. Miguel Andujar, who was playing for the fourth time in the outfield, stepped to the plate and popped to the outfield in a ball that couldn’t be caught by the centerfield to load the bases. Mike Tauchman had a sac fly driving in Sanchez for the second out. Gio Urshela walked re-loading the bases, and that was it for starting pitcher Perez who threw 34 pitches in 2/3rd of an inning. Hunter Haworth took over for Perez as the Yankees brought their ninth batter to the plate. Clint Frazier with the bases loaded, another wild pitch allowed Voit to score, Yankees 4-0. Frazier walked, and DJ LeMahieu doubled driving in two more runs. Yankees 6-0. Brett Gardner struck out to end the inning the Yankees picked up six runs in a very poorly played inning by the Red Sox.

Tanaka took to the mound in the top of the second and ground out Lucroy. Peraza struck out for Tanaka’s third knock out. Sturgeon struck out. Tanaka struck out four in two innings using only 21 pitches. Haworth came out for the second, and Torres flew out. Sanchez struck out. Voit lined out for the last out. Tanaka, in the third, got Chatham to ground out. Duran was Tanaka’s fifth strikeout. Andreoli reached on an infield single, Gio got the ball, but Voit fell catching it. Benintendi grounded out to end the inning. Josh Taylor pitched the third for the Sox. Andujar ground to the second baseman. Tauchman struck out. Urshela hit his first home run to center, and it was 7-0 Yankees. Frazier had his second walk of the day. DJ LeMahieu ground out for the final out.

At the fourth, Tanaka’s day was over with Clarke Schmidt pitching. Devers immediately homered over the back fence, making it Yankees 7 Sox 1. Chavis got a hard-hit single. Lucroy ground out. Peraza struck out. Sturgeon made the final out. Taylor, back out for the fourth, got Gardner to strike out. Torres made a scorched line-drive double that hit the left-field wall. Sanchez, in his 4th at-bat ground out to second. Torres moved to third. Voit towers one for the final out of the fourth. Yankees 7 Sox 1.

Schmidt in the fifth faced Chatham and walked him. Duran struck out. Andreoli singled, but Chatham was out at second. Schmidt struck out Benintendi for the third out. At the bottom, Austin Brice faced Andujar who struck out, Tauchman flew out to center, and Urshela also stuck out. At the sixth Adam Ottavino faced Devers who flew out to Andujar. Chavis struck out swinging. Jett Brandy made the third out. The Red Sox used Josh Osich in the sixth. Frazier walked, Mike Ford ground out with Frazier going to second. Higashioka got an infield single the dropped directly behind the pitcher, who had no idea where the ball was. With two on Tyler Wade in his first at-bat of the game walked to load the bases with one out. Estevan Florial struck out. Kyle Holder struck out, leaving the bases loaded.

Zack Britton came out for the seventh. Dalbec flew out to Florial. Sturgeon flew out to Milone in left. Hernandez flew out to Floria for the quick Britton inning. Domingo Tapia allowed an Estrada single. Gittens walked. Milone singled to load the bases with no outs. Amburgey was out at first, but Estrada scored as Lucroy failed to tag Estrada. Ford ground into a double play. Yankees 8 Red Sox 1. Loaisiga took the eighth, pitching to Longhi, who struck out. De La Guerra struck out, and Jantzen Witte also stuck out with a filthy one, two, three innings for Loaisiga. At the bottom, Higashioka singled, Wade singled, and Higgy went to second. Florial ground out to first, but the runners advanced. Holder singled, but Higgy was caught trying to make it home. Estrada singled, and Wade Scored for the 9-1 Yankee lead. With Gittens at the plate, there was a throw out at second that went in the outfield, and the runners advanced for the Red Sox second error. Gittens worked a walk to re-load the bases. Milone flew out for the final out.

With last licks for the Red Sox in the top of the ninth Loaisga who had stuck out 8 of the twelve batters he has faced this spring training took the mound to close it out of the Yankees. Downs ground out, Matheny ground out to third, and Bandy struck out for the 15th Yankee strikeout of the game and the 9-1 Yankee win.

Tanaka was impressive firing on all cylinders; he had 40 pitches in 3 innings with 28 strike balls thrown and five strikeouts while not allowing a ball out of the infield. Although Clarke Schmidt allowed a homer, he struck out four in his two innings. In overall fantastic pitching, Jonathan Loaisiga, in the 8th, struck out the side. The Yankees won 9-1 against the Red Sox in a game filled with Red Sox errors and wild pitches. The winning pitcher was Tanaka and losing pitcher was Perez. 

Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka developing new pitch, almost gets hit by two screamers

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

The Yankees cannot afford to pick up any further injuries with Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, and James Paxton all picking up specific ailments in the past few weeks.

With the Bombers beginning Grapefruit League play on Saturday against the Blue Jays, they will already be without Paxton and potentially Severino for an extended period of time.

However, on Friday, they nearly lost a third starting pitcher as two balls came close to striking Masahiro Tanaka on the mound. The first was a ground ball that zipped past Tanaka’s right leg and the second was a line drive that could have decapitated the starter, courtesy of DJ LeMahieu.

Despite the close calls, Tanaka was happy with his performance ahead of the exhibition game on Saturday. He will start next Wednesday against the Washington Nationals.

“Just the gradual building,’’ Tanaka stated after his outing. “I like how I feel right now with the fastball and off-speed pitches.’’

The Yankees will need the trustworthy pitcher to hold his own during 2020, especially with Paxton expected to miss at least three months after having a cyst removed from his lower back. In 2019, Tanaka posted a 4.45 ERA with 149 strikeouts over 182.0 innings.

“It always hurts, not just a starting pitcher, when somebody goes out with an injury,’’ said Tanaka, who had offseason elbow surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. “That can’t impact what I have to do.’’

Tanaka is working on sharpening a new pitch:

The Japanese pitcher is working on refining a cut fastball and was excited about its movement on Friday. Tanaka only featured his cut fastball on 1.7% of pitches in 2019 but will be looking to increase that number in the coming weeks. Hopefully, it can help redefine his approach and increase his efficiency moving forward as his numbers last season were some of his worst as a major league player.

 

New York Yankees: Analyzing the Final Year of Tanaka’s Contract

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

As we head into the 2020 season, we enter into the final year of Masahiro Tanaka’s Contract.  Tanaka signed a 7 year deal with the New York Yankees back in January of 2014, after coming over from Japan where he played  Nippon Professional Baseball from 2007.

I hear a lot of people saying that after 2020, we can free up some salary space after his contract is up. And honestly, I don’t understand that narrative.

We’ve had some great pitchers come here and not be able to handle the pressure. It takes a lot to be able to pitch under the bright lights in New York. And New York Yankees fans will be sure to let you know when you’re not doing well.

What has Tanaka meant to the Yankees?

Masa has not only been able to pitch great during the regular season but also during the postseason as well.  New York will make or break you, and it certainly hasn’t broken our masaHIRO. Year in and year out Tanaka has been consistent, and unphased in big moments. Those are important qualities to have pitching in the postseason. Especially in the Bronx.  

You want a guy you can trust in those big games and that’s Tanaka.  With a postseason ERA of 1.75, the Yankees and Yankees fans are definitely confident when he’s on the mound. I know I am. 

Tanaka who has a career ERA of 3.75, didn’t pitch his best season last year but his ERA was still above average.

So I’m here to go to bat for Tanaka, campaigning for his 2021 return. With Tanaka turning 32 after the end of this season, I still think he has a lot more to offer.

Looking at the pitchers that will be free agents in 2021, there’s only a few with a slightly better ERA. So why risk bringing in another pitcher, with less success and a less impressive postseason resume. 

New York Yankees’ pitchers show off the goods in spring training (WATCH)

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

The New York Yankees sport one of the best starting rotations and bullpen units in the league, bolstered by new signing Gerrit Cole and utility arm, Chad Green.

Beyond Cole is where the quality of the rotation begins to take shape, as Luis Severino and James Paxton feature as the No. 2-3 pitchers, respectively. Having three pitchers that can claim the ace accolade in the same unit provides reason for excitement, and we should be ecstatic for their dominance in 2020.

However, we mustn’t forget about Masahiro Tanaka, Domingo German, J.A. Happ, or Jordan Montgomery, who are all great pitchers when at the top of their game.

Some of the Yankees’ arms showed their goods on Monday, especially Adam Ottavino, who utilized his incredible slider on almost 45% of his pitches.

 

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The movement on that ball… Ottavino has got the goods! Via @yesnetwork

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The curve Ottavino puts on this pitch is incredible, and it was a frequent flier during the 2019 season. We should expect him to keep his slider usage in the 40-45% range in 2020 while his fastball sits in the 40-42% area. He’s a particular pitcher than can be deadly later on in games. However, with the league implementing a new rule that forced relief arms to pitch to a minimum of three batters, it could force him into an expanded role instead of a situational one.

Tanaka also showed off his stuff, throwing three consecutive strikes to what seems to be an inexperienced hitter.

 

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At the tone, it will be #TANAKATIME.

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Tanaka will slide in as the 4th pitcher in the rotation but will supplement Paxton in his absence. Tanaka is entering his eighth season as a Yankees in 2020, and when pitching with confidence, he’s one of the best arms out there.

New York Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka looking foward to pitching with Cole

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

The New York Yankees’ offseason was mostly very boring and dry except for the one big goal that they did accomplish: signing Gerrit Cole. Yankee fans were more than excited when they learned that Cole will be pitching in pinstripes this season, and so were the players. Masahiro Tanaka spoke about his feelings on Cole being signed to the club:

“Definitely huge plus for the team,” Tanaka said. “And I think it’ll be a big plus for me as well. You know, just being able to see a pitcher of that caliber closely. See what he does. How he goes about his stuff. I think that I will benefit from that as well.”

Tanaka has been exceptional for the Yankees ever since he joined in 2014. During his six years with the club, Tanka is credited to a career 75-43 record and holds a career 3.75 ERA. He has yet to have a losing year, never going under .500 in his record each season.

Even though Tanaka has been great for the New York Yankees, especially during the postseason, he’s looking forward to learning from Cole and using what he learns to advance his own game.

“I’m looking forward to it … you know you always learn something new from somebody new,” said Tanaka. “I think there’s (an) opportunity with that here with Matt. So I’m really looking forward (to) working with him.”

Ever since the James Paxton news came out about him missing three to four months, Tanaka will now be moved up to the three spot in the rotation.

Yankees: Tanaka weighs in on the Astros, Jasson Dominguez update, and is it Tyler Wade’s time?

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New York Yankees, Tyler Wade

A daily look at New York Yankees News/Rumors of interest to Yankee fans

Masahiro Tanaka feels cheated:

Masahiro Tanaka and some of the New York Yankees reported to the spring training complex in Tampa yesterday.  Pitchers and catchers are to report tomorrow with the first workouts on Thursday.  Retired pitcher CC Sabathia has been more than vocal about this displeasure with the Houston Astros and the biggest story of the offseason, the Astros sign-stealing scheme that was revealed by former Astro Mike Fiers.  After the Manfred report detailed the electronic scheme, Astros General Manager and Field Manager A.J Hinch were fired by owner Jim Crane.  Since then, select baseball players from around the country have divulged their resentment toward the Astros.  Yankee Masahiro Tanaka is the latest.  According to the New York Daily News reporter Kristie Ackert when asked about the scheme, Tanaka responded that he felt cheated after the ALCS loss to the Astros in 2017.

Jasson Dominguez is training:

In the Dominican Republic, spring training is already underway.  The reports on super-prospect Jasson Dominguez are off the charts.  Dominguez, nicknamed the “Martian” due to his out of this world talent, is still at least two years from appearing in the Bronx as he is still only 16 years old.   Scouts have said in the past that his talent is impressive as he has superpowers — he is fast and agile.  Considering his young age, it is said he has the strength and body of a player in their mid-twenties.  Yankee evaluators were in the Dominican Republic last week to take a look at the young player.  According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, his skills have been described as “silly…stupid…crazy”.  It was initially said that he was a good four years away from the majors, but due to how he is advancing, it may be much sooner than that.

Is it Tyler Wade’s time?

Tyler Wade has been kicking around the Yankee baseball world  for six years, three in the minors and Arizona Fall league  and three now, going back and forth from Scranton Wilkes/Barre and the Stadium in what’s called the “Yankee shuttle.” He is usually called up in an emergency when someone is injured, as he is what is named the super-utility player.  He can play anywhere on the field except for pitcher, catcher and first base.  Once the injured player comes back, Wade is demoted again.

Wade has a lot going for him besides his looks that always gets the attention of the fairer Yankee fans.  He is equally good at all positions he plays.  Those that don’t see his worth cite his relatively average hitting ability and that he has no power.   The power thing I can’t argue with, but his hitting has improved in each of the three years that he has been called up, to the tune of 20% better every year.  This year he had one hit in each four plate appearances for a .245 batting average.  If he continues to improve at that rate, he may hit in the .270 area, which is not bad at all.  Add to that he can play anywhere and is the fastest most agile Yankee on the team.

This year even if everyone stays healthy, the Yankees should use him in the new 26 slot in the roster.  He is the perfect bench player to give DJ LeMahieu at second and Gleyber Torres at short a needed respite so they can stay fresh for the postseason.   Use him much as they did Bubba Crosby and Miguel Cairo in the past.  The only difference is that Wade is better and faster.

The Yanks drafted Wade in the 4th round of the 2013 June Amateur Draft.  Not a lot was expected from the 19-year-old, but he moved through the minor as a shortstop relatively quickly and became a go-to when Stadium players were injured.  As it stands now with Didi Gregorius going to the Phillies that the Yankees need a backup for short.  Consider that Torres is relatively untested at short; it makes sense to have Wade in the dugout.  With the 2020 MLB season approaching,  the Yankees should give Tyler Wade a chance to be the New York Yankees super-utility man, be the guy who steps in when a player needs a rest, lands on the IL,  they need a base runner, or for a defensive replacement late in games.

New York Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka feels Astros cheated them out of World Series

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

After weeks of silence from the New York Yankees players, some have begun to speak out on the Houston Astros and their cheating scandal that resulted in their firing of their manager and general manager.

Last week was Chad Green, who expressed his displeasure with the Astros for taking such malicious actions in an attempt to reach the World Series, in which they did the past two seasons, winning one of them.

The usually reserved Masahiro Tanaka, starting pitcher for the Yankees, was also frustrated over their actions, agreeing that they were likely cheated out of a World Series appearance.

“I do feel that way, yeah,” Tanaka said.

Tanaka pitched in games 1 and 5 of the ALCS, throwing six innings of two-run ball. It is believed that the Astros were cheating during the most recent postseason, which makes it even more concerning for the players.

It’s expected that more Yankees players will begin to speak out on the matter. Still, with spring training starting soon, they’re focused on preparing for the season and mitigating any injury concerns.

New York Yankees: Three fifteen game-winning pitchers

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New York Yankees, Aaron Boone, Gerrit Cole

Back in July, the New York Yankees front office came under a lot of fire for their lack of acquiring a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Luis Severino was hurt, James Paxton was struggling, Masahiro Tanaka was inconsistent, and J.A. Happ was a dumpster fire. It was a frustrating time to be a Yankee fan. On top of that, the biggest competition in the AL, The Houston Astros, went out and acquired Zack Greinke to pair with the top two pitchers in the league, Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. For many Yankee fans, they could see the October writing on the wall. The Yankees were going to come up short against the Houston Astros and the lack of starting pitching would be a key factor. Sure enough, the Yankees fell short of making it to the World Series and lost to the Houston Astros. After another crushing defeat, Brian Cashman convinced Hal Steinbrenner to open up the checkbook to go out and get arguably the best pitcher in the game, Gerrit Cole. The Yankees signed Cole to a record-breaking 9 year $326 million contracts and the whole outlook on the rotation has changed.

The Yankees should be expecting big things from Cole, but I think the expectations should be high for the top three spots in the Yankee rotation. You read the article title right, I think that the Yankees could/should have three fifteen game-winners this season on their starting staff if everyone remains healthy. Ironically, this article was originally going to feature four fifteen game-winners, but it was announced that James Paxton had to undergo surgery and might not be back until the All-Star break. Considering that, hopefully, there are no additional injuries to the New York Yankees staff as we begin 2020. With that, let’s go through each of those three potential fifteen game-winners I was alluding to.

Gerrit Cole

This is the easiest one to write. There are not even words that I need to say about this one. Gerrit Cole is a monster and I think he is going to be motivated to prove he’s the best pitcher in all of baseball. Better than Justin Verlander and better than fellow New York standout Jacob DeGrom. Cole had a monster in 2019 where he should have won the AL Cy Young. If Cole remains healthy, he can walk to fifteen wins this year.

Luis Severino

To me, this one is going to come down to his health. If you take out his injury-plagued season in 2019, Luis Severino had a combined 33-14 record in the previous two seasons with an ERA sitting just above three. Sevy has the potential to be an ace and now he has none of the pressure. I wrote a while back that Gerrit Cole is Severino’s new secret weapon and I think we are in for a big year from Luis Severino. It wouldn’t shock me to see Luis Severino and Gerrit Cole have the same kind of year that Cole had with Verlander in 2019.

Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka got the ball on opening day last year. He’s gotten the ball on opening day a few times since he joined the Yankees. He also took the ball in Game 1 of the ALCS last year against Houston which saw the Yankees win. Tanaka has been viewed as the most “clutch” when it comes to the pitchers on the Yankees staff in years passed. However, a big flaw with Tanaka is his lack of consistency in the regular season. In the last three seasons, he has a 36-27 record with an ERA over four in the regular season. Yet, at times, he looks absolutely sensational in the postseason. Tanaka is in his walk year and facing the least amount of pressure he has faced since he’s worn the pinstripes not having to be one of the top two guys. Tanaka has never won fifteen games in the regular season, and I believe that will change this year. I think Masahiro Tanaka will flourish in his role in this rotation and be the Yankees third fifteen game-winner of 2020.

Yes, I’m predicting that the New York Yankees top three pitchers will combine for over 45 decision wins in 2020. I believe in the starters, I believe in the offense, and I believe that the best bullpen in baseball will be able to contribute to those victories. Time will tell if I’m right, but if they stay healthy, the Yankees staff is going to be absolutely nasty in 2020.

Top three pitchers in Yankees starting rotation will dominate in 2020

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New York Yankees, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka

Signing Gerrit Cole this offseason was undoubtedly the highlight for New York Yankees owner, Hal Steinbrenner. Writing all of those zeroes at the end of Cole’s abnormally long check might have been the lone negative to the deal, but the quality of pitching he brings to the team will pay off.

The $324 million could probably feed an entire country in Africa, but for Yankees fans, it will bring them the satisfaction of a Championship, so we hope. The 2020 campaign represents the best opportunity for the club to reach the finale of the postseason for the first time in over a decade. The reality is, the Yankees need to win. Otherwise, the enormous amount of money they spent on starting pitching this offseason will go to waste.

Luckily, their top three starters are arguably all in the “ace” category, or just below. Cole is arguably the best pitcher in baseball, hoisting a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 2019, both career-highs. Luis Severino is another stellar pitcher, missing virtually all of 2019 with injuries. His presence in the postseason helped the Yankees climb to the ALCS, though, and he will be a force once again in 2020.

Severino’s last impressive campaign was in 2018, when he started the season on fire, earning an All-Star appearance before falling off in the second half of the year. His 3.39 ERA with 220 strikeouts would indicate that he didn’t miss a beat, but compared to Cole’s stats, those numbers look average. The quality that Severino contains far surpasses the finishing totals he amassed in 2018, and that’s an encouraging reality heading into the upcoming season. His limited action and success last season proves to us that he’s coming in with a full bill of health, and Cole’s presence should take off a bit of pressure.

Aside from the No. 1-2 pitchers, James Paxton, will slot in at the 3rd spot. Paxton is arguably a No. 1 pitcher on most teams, so given he’s a 3rd option in the rotation on the Yankees should give you a good idea of how talented this group really is. Just for giggles, manager Aaron Boone left Jordan Montgomery off the 5-man rotation in recent days, naming J.A. Happ, the 5th starter. Considering Happ enjoyed two consecutive seasons of sub-4.00 ERA baseball, it’s incredible how deep the rotation is.

Paxton enters 2020 coming off a fantastic second half of 2019, logging a 3.82 ERA with 186 strikeouts. The lefty arm is two years removed from a 2.98 ERA performance, so replicating that performance isn’t out of the question, especially with his newfound comfort in Yankee Stadium.

Overall, the Yankees have one of the best starting rotations in baseball with their top three, and that’s without mentioning Masahiro Tanaka, one of the more consistent arms for the Bombers over the past few seasons.