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10 starting pitchers the Philadelphia Phillies could target in free agency

By David Esser

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Oct 7, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) pitches in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) pitches in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during game three of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Masahiro Tanaka

2020 Team: New York Yankees

2020 Salary: $23 million

After seven long years of pitching for the New York Yankees, the Japanese enigma that is Masahiro Tanaka is finally set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. He made just over $150 million pitching in the navy/white pinstripes and was selected to two All Star games. Now, he has an opportunity to cash out once more with a different team.

It might very well be in the Yankees best interest to simply re-sign Tanaka this winter, especially considering the fact that pitching was one of their biggest problems down the stretch. However, with guys like Bauer and JT Realmuto hitting the open market, the Yankees front office may have different targets in mind.

Tanaka is set to turn 32 in early November, which could very well be a turn-off to potential suitors when talking about a multi-year, big money extension.

Tanaka has a career ERA of 3.74 and a career WHIP of 1.130. He’s been a super solid middle-of-the-rotation arm throughout the entirety of his career, but never someone who has approached that of “ace” status. Tanaka would immediately upgrade the Philadelphia Phillies rotation, no questions asked, but he also feels like the type of guy a team will overpay for due to his high-profile name.

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