December 6, 2024 The future of the right-handed pitcher with 197 wins in Japan and the US is clouded Transfer negotiations for pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (36), who became a free agent from the professional baseball team Rakuten, appear to be proving difficult. Because he refused a significant reduction in his salary from his estimated annual salary of 260 million yen this season, which would exceed the limit of salary cuts (40% for annual salaries over 100 million yen), his name did not appear on Rakuten’s list of reserved players made public earlier this month. This makes him a free agent and allows him to negotiate with teams in Japan and the United States, but so far no teams have shown interest in Tanaka. Perhaps he has calmly assessed his weakened strength, or perhaps he is simply overwhelmed by his enormous presence… Either way, dark clouds are hanging over the future of the right-handed pitcher, who is just three wins away from reaching 200 wins in Japan and the United States. Regarding the acquisition of Tanaka, according to sports media, SoftBank’s general manager (GM) Mikasa Sugihiko denied the possibility. Negative comments were made by each team, with Nippon Ham’s manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo saying, “He has such a proven track record that I wonder what the other players, the young guys, will think…” and Chunichi’s new manager Kazuki Inoue saying, “I feel like (the chances) are a little slim.” Some reports have also suggested that the Giants, who are seeking pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to move to the majors, will not make an effort to acquire him. And now, reports of withdrawal have continued about Yakult, which was seen as the leading candidate due to the urgent need to improve its starting pitchers. A player in charge of player planning for a Tokyo-based baseball team explains it this way: “Yakult’s GM, Ogawa (Junji) did not deny that an investigation was being carried out, so I thought the tracks had been laid. If, as reported, they don’t even touch Yakult… Is there anywhere for Ma-kun to go? His desire to continue playing has not diminished at all, so retirement is unlikely. Rakuten has not denied the possibility of senior director Ishii (Kazuhisa) re-signing. There may be a surprise return.” Tanaka is on the verge of joining the Hall of Fame. The acquiring team can expect to benefit from sales by holding countdown events. Since Tanaka’s selection criteria is no longer money, the hurdle of acquiring him is also lowered by not needing to make a large expenditure. “There’s something that’s bothering me.” Although he no longer has the power of his pitches from his prime, he still has pitching techniques backed by a wealth of experience. There must be a team that can fit him at the back of the starting rotation. “Even so, the fact that each team is being cautious about signing him means that there is something that is bothering them. At least, that’s the main reason for us.” The aforementioned manager acknowledged this, and revealed that the power harassment issue involving pitcher Tomohiro Yasuraku (Mexican League), which was revealed within the Rakuten team last offseason, is still lingering. Yasuraku was effectively fired due to numerous instances of harassment against younger players. When the “Anraku issue” caused controversy, some reports stated that Tanaka was present when Anraku forced his junior to expose his lower body. As a video of Yasuraku taking a commemorative photo with his teammates, Tanaka watched with a laugh as he pushed the back of a junior pitcher sitting in front of him with his foot, causing him to lose his balance, went viral, leading to voices calling for Tanaka to take responsibility for encouraging Yasuraku, with whom he had a close relationship. Ultimately, however, Tanaka was let off the hook and his contract for this season was guaranteed, although his annual salary exceeded the salary reduction limit. Did Rakuten fulfill its obligations? “We felt that by placing the responsibility solely on Yasuraku, Rakuten was protecting Tanaka, their star player, even though they knew everything. I think that was reflected in the terms offered to Tanaka this offseason. There must have been some things that Rakuten could not make public (regarding the Anraku issue). Otherwise, they would not have made an offer to allow the face of the team who was on the brink of 200 wins to choose free agency, nor would they have been unwilling to compromise in negotiations. It was because we judged the situation that we should do so that we decided to pull out. “It seems that there are other teams that think the same way,” said a manager in charge of organization. In 2013, Tanaka had an overwhelming record of 24 wins and 0 losses in the regular season. He pitched as the closer in the Japan Series and was the pitcher who was lifted up in celebration, leading the team to its first Japan Series championship in its history. He was a special figure who became a symbol of recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake. “He is a player who has made a great contribution to Rakuten, so even if owner Hiroshi Mikitani is businesslike and there was only 15 minutes of negotiation time, I think it was an offer made after careful consideration. The amount may reflect the fact that they protected Tanaka in the Yasuraku incident, but taking into account their current strength, I also think that Rakuten has done its duty by simply showing its willingness to sign a contract.” (ibid.) See the source for more details.
>>1 How can he be so shameless as to return to Rakuten? His annual salary was an incredible 60 million yen, a generous amount for a pitcher who was not performing well, but he turned it down because he felt his pride would be reduced to 100 million yen, and now he’s back I guess his annual salary will be around 15 million yen.
>>11 It’s been said many times, but he doesn’t think 200 wins is important, and he says he can do more, so even if he does get it, it will be troublesome.
Well, even when he was with the Yankees, he would get bloated easily and it would show on his face, so he never really had the image of being a good pitcher.
Well, if it were me I would retire. He made a big show of saying he was going somewhere else, right? It would be even harder to come back because he has a bad track record. He might even go back to Rakuten and not be used in a single game, leaving them with a grin on their face. He should retire cleanly, learn in the majors, and then when the heat dies down he can pretend not to notice and get a job in Japan.
Even though his recent results have been so-so, he has a proven track record, so if he can be an example for the younger generation… I can’t help but think about that.
Why not just come back to Rakuten for a little while and have a token retirement game at next year’s exhibition games? They could sell some merchandise and some fans could come and watch.
If he could be a battery partner in a practice game, not an exhibition game, he could have been with the Giants, but if he wants to achieve 200 wins with the Giants, and can’t accept the 20 million yen, one-year contract as a relief pitcher instead of a starter, he’ll have to start over in America.
It’s a nasty way of putting all the responsibility on Yasuraku alone. Wasn’t the bullying something that Anraku did alone? I’m sure Ma-kun was just watching it intently.
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