TAMPA — Among the biggest storylines on any team in 2017 will be whether Masahiro Tanaka opts out of his Yankees contract after the season to become a free agent.
Just don’t tell that to the right-hander.
“Obviously, I’m aware of what my contract says,” Tanaka said through a translator Wednesday after throwing a bullpen session at the Yankees minor league complex. “But it’s something I put aside going into the season.”
Tanaka will have three years and $67 million remaining on his deal following this season. If he has another good year — and stays healthy — he could join the likes of Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish on the market to see if he can get more dollars and/or years.
First, though, is the matter of this year.
“You can’t really be thinking about that [opt-out] while you go through the season,” Tanaka said. “I’m really focused on this season. When the time comes after the season, then I’ll probably have a chance to think about that more.”
Indeed he will. And so will the Yankees, who seem ill-equipped to let Tanaka go and still have a top-flight rotation in the future.
Until then, Tanaka and the Yankees will wait to see if his elbow holds up. The 28-year-old has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, but has avoided Tommy John surgery. He made it through last year unscathed, starting 31 games — though he fell just shy of his 200-inning goal (199 2/3).
Tanaka’s health was among the reasons he opted not to pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
“I was able to go through a full season, finally, last year,” Tanaka said. “I understand what the team is looking for from me, and I think the important part is to try to be healthy throughout the season and be able to contribute one full season. That part is probably most important.”
Tanaka is confident he’s off to a promising start. He felt good during his bullpen session in front of pitching coach Larry Rothschild and believes he is ahead of where he was a year ago at this time.
“I went out there and threw with some force,” Tanaka said. “I feel good with where I’m at right now. … I feel a little bit ahead of schedule compared to last year.”
The Yankees likely will need Tanaka to at least replicate his 2016 performance to have a chance to compete in 2017, thanks to a shaky rotation that includes CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda (who have effectiveness and/or health concerns) and inexperienced options such as Luis Severino.
Asked if he thought the Yankees had enough starting pitching to get to the postseason, Tanaka said: “It’s not my place to say that. I’m not sure how we’ll line up as we go into the season, but I’m confident whoever comes in will be able to get the job done.”
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