WILL TANAKA OPT OUT?

Photo: Getty Images

He won't, and I'll tell you why.  Because if he does, he leaves over $60 million out there.  And believe me, despite how well he pitched in the playoffs, it is a small batch review and won't reflect what a team thinks of him if he tries to sign somewhere else long term for a whole lot more money.  It's just my gut talking, and that's it.  I could be wrong, but I just have a hunch. He will stay.

Here's Newsday and Erik Boland...

 Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

"The Yankees righthander has three days from the end of the World Series to exercise an opt-out clause in the seven-year, $155-million contract he signed before the 2014 season. Opting out would mean that Tanaka would leave about $67 million on the table.

Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

With a free-agent class of starting pitchers that doesn’t seem all that strong — Yu Darvish, shelled twice during the World Series, is among the top free-agent options, as are Jake Arrieta and Lance Lynn — it certainly is not an impossibility that Tanaka would score big on the market. "

Photo: Getty Images

Well damn, I guess Erik and I disagree.   Look, Tanaka could score big somewhere else, but here's the thing, when I look at names like Darvish, Arrieta and Lynn, Tanaka is right there in the mix. My point is, why would he leave the Yankees when he has the money sitting right there in front of him and he doesn't need to start over? Plus, the Yankees are good! They have a shot next season to win the whole thing. That's gotta mean something.  Personally, I feel like he'd be a fool to leave the Bronx. But hey... what the hell do I know?

I personally would like to see Tanaka stick around. He grew on me, he really did.

Stay tuned...