LA Angels: 3 reasons to sign Masahiro Tanaka

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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The Angels need rotation help and could find it in the form of Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka was the gem of the 2014 free agent class coming off of a stellar career in Japan. He ended up signing a monster contract with the Yankees cementing himself in the Bronx through 2020. Most can agree the expectations of that contract were never met for a multitude of reasons including a reconstruction of his UCL at the beginning of the deal.

Since then, he has been producing middle-of-the-rotation numbers, but on a very consistent basis being the ace of the staff for several years. With Gerrit Cole coming in to lead the staff this year, Tanaka continued to put up average, yet effective stats in the shortened season. Going 3-3 across ten starts with a mid 3.00’s ERA doesn’t seem like the best thing on the market right now, but it could be more valuable than you realize to the Angels staff.

Coming off of a less than impressive 2019, he improved across the board and could be a very cost-efficient signing with the hopes of getting Mike Trout to the playoffs during his prime. The Angels have recently brought in new leadership in the front office with new GM Perry Minasian who is certain to bring in the pieces to do just that.

There is also the level of leadership Tanaka could bring to this staff with several playoff appearances and starts in huge moments which nobody on this Angels staff can boast. Their best pitcher from 2020 was Dylan Bundy who started his career with the lowly Orioles which surely didn’t bring many high stress innings. Tanaka isn’t going to be the one to bring the Angels over the hump, but he sure is a great building block.

Let’s take a look at three reasons why the Masahiro Tanaka makes since for the Halos.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Nippon Ties

Masahiro Tanaka is no longer the flamethrowing prospect he once was but could still have a massive effect in this league in a different way. Tanaka and Ohtani played on different teams in Japan, but the ties still run deep. Ohtani is 26 years old, the same age that Tanaka was when he entered his first year in the MLB.

His three-year advantage may save his career path if his youth allows him to collect himself.  It is well-documented that players who come over from Japan often choose to play for teams where there is a comfort level and ties to their former home. Players like Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki playing for the Yankees could have easily influenced Tanaka in joining the Bronx Bombers. This time around, it could be the young phenom Ohtani that could lure him to Anaheim.

Ohtani has much in common with Tanaka especially the fact that they both needed Tommy John shortly after coming over from Japan. Unfortunately, Ohtani has not quite looked the same since and may be battling something physically and mentally. Having someone like Tanaka could change the direction of his career and fulfill the promise he showed as early as his first spring training.

Ohtani should be back at full strength physically in 2021 and all eyes will be on his progress. Tanaka would be sure to step in and provide advice and guidance to the young star. He would also be able to help him grow by sharing the struggles he went through trying to adapt to the new league.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees heads back to the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees heads back to the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 07, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Angels Rotation Needs a Leader

The Angels have continued to struggle to get over the hump and truly compete with the Astros and Athletics at the top of the division. If they aren’t careful they could even be overtaken by the young Mariners in the coming years led by the likes of Kyle Lewis, Julio Rodriguez, and Jarred Kelenic. The Angels clearly have the core of Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, but the biggest shortcoming has been pitching and its not even close.

With the injury issues of Ohtani, there has been little to be excited about on the pitching front. We often see early leads blown before we can even sit down in front of the TV. The Angels do not have a pitcher in the top-ten of any major statistical category outside of Dylan Bundy who finished with six wins.

Sure there are plenty of other top-tier options like bringing Trevor Bauer home to Southern California, but that comes at a massive cost of which the Angels more than likely cannot afford. Tanaka would be much more affordable and allow them to have more financial freedom when looking for more starting pitching help in the FA market.

Dylan Bundy, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
Dylan Bundy, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Much Needed Experience

Tanaka hasn’t always been the most dominant pitcher around, but when the lights shine the brightest so does he. With the Yankees, he has made several postseason trips and performed better than almost any of his peers. Tanaka was the first pitcher in modern history to allow 2 runs or less through his first seven postseason starts.

Those impressive stats led him to a 1.32 ERA through 41 innings. I don’t think it leaves much to the imagination what that could do for a franchise like the Angels. Of course getting to the playoffs is the first hurdle they need to jump but what about once they get there? Tanaka is exactly the type of clubhouse leader that could show everyone around him how a true professional handles the pressure.

With the utter lack of postseason experience on the roster there could be some nervous energy flowing through that locker room. Thankfully their manager has a world series win under his belt but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately Maddon can only write the lineups and can’t quite affect the product on the field besides pitching changes.

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Undoubtedly Tanaka is not the savior the Angels are looking for but it really would be a great move for the franchise. With such a great young core and hopefully some good young arms on the horizon, a consistent starter, with great work ethic, could truly right the ship for this struggling bunch.

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