EXPECT THE YANKS TO "GO HARD" ON TANAKA

(In Photo: Masahiro Tanaka)
"According to industry sources, the Yankees are going to be serious players in the Masahiro Tanaka bidding battle next month, hoping to fill crater-sized holes in their rotation with a Japanese pitcher who wowed scouts this year.

A person familiar with the Yankees’ offseason strategy said Tanaka is a priority in the wake of Andy Pettitte retiring, the uncertain future of Hiroki Kuroda and the physical question marks smothering Michael Pineda and Manuel Banuelos."

That comes from George King III of the New York Post. 

While the Yankees haven't really had success with Japanese pitchers in the past in guys like Kei Igawa and the late Hideki Irabu, they did sign Hiroki Kuroda against my wishes and he made me a believer.  Not to mention, the Texas Rangers have good things happening with Yu Darvish, a guy we wanted at one point, but were not willing to bid too high for.

Well, if George King is correct, and he usually is, the signing of Tanaka could prove big. But will the Yankees do it? There is a real issue right now with finding the right guys.  It doesn't help that the Red Sox did so well this season... it just stings more. 

Anyway, I just wanted to pass this along.  I don't have much to say about it now, but I will... it's early.

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