When Yankees manager Joe Girardi held his state of spring training press conference Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., he indicated Masahiro Tanaka is on track to be the Opening Day starter April 2 vs Tampa Bay.
“Our plan is for him to be the Opening Day starter. You’ve got to see where he’s at, but I don’t really see him being not our Opening Day starter unless something was to arise that I wasn’t expecting. He’s been the guy that’s made made the starts and that’s kind of the plan.”
Based on the photos taken of Tanaka this week at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Girardi’s plan remains intact.
Yankees vs. Betances
Here’s a quick list of the Yankees’ main offseason moves:
Signed closer Aroldis Chapman to a five-year, $86-million deal
— Adding Chapman to a unit with Dellin Betances has once again given the Yankees one of the league’s best bullpen back ends.
Traded catcher Brian McCann and $11 million to Houston for two prospects
— The team moved McCann at what was likely his peak trade value, considering Gary Sanchez took the job last season from the veteran, who’s stated his preference to be a starter. The trade netted the Yankees right-hander Albert Abreu, whom MLB.com ranks as the team’s 10th best prospect.
Signed DH Matt Holliday to a one-year, $13-million deal
— Trading McCann opened the DH spot for Holliday, a seven-time All-Star out to prove he’s still got something left in his once-potent bat. Holliday is also expected to provide occasional coverage in the outfield corners and at first base.
Won’t talk extension with Masahiro Tanaka
The 28-year-old ace can become a free agent at season’s end, when he can opt out of the seven-year, $155-million deal he signed before the 2014 season.
Will go to arbitration with Dellin Betances
— The Yankees and Betances have a $2-million gulf between how much each expects the three-time All-Star reliever to get paid in 2017, his first year through salary arbitration. The Yankees want to give Betances $3 million. Betances wants $5 million.
Signed Chris Carter to a one-year, $3-million deal
— Carter will hope to split playing time with first baseman Greg Bird and Holliday.
Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka throws first bullpen of spring 2017
(NJ Advance Media’s Brendan Kuty contributed to this report.)
Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
