Masahiro Tanaka Signs With Japanese Team

[pwaldo]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/...en-eagles.html

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka announced this morning that he will not sign with a Major League team this winter and will instead return to Nippon Professional Baseball’s Rakuten Eagles. The Eagles, Tanaka’s initial club in professional ball, formally announced a new deal and offered a warm message: “WELCOME HOME our HERO!” It’s a two-year contract, according to the Kyodo News. Tanaka, meanwhile, offered a heartfelt thank you to his fans in MLB:

To my beloved fans,

I hope everybody is keeping safe during these challenging times. I wanted to reach out to you because I have made a decision on where I will play this coming season. I have decided to return to Japan and play for the Rakuten Eagles for the 2021 season. I wanted to make sure and touch base with you, and thank you for all the love and support you have given me for the past 7 seasons. I feel extremely fortunate for having the opportunity to take the field as a member of the New York Yankees, and play in front of all you passionate fans. It has been an honor and a privilege! Thank you so much!

[bakemeister52]

I am glad he is headed back to Japan to play for his real love of playing. He did his best in New York. Yankees will need to replace him.

Bake

[camsue]

Glad he is continuing to play he killed my Orioles

[ethunder]

Great pitcher. Glad to see him while in the US.