When Masahiro Tanaka arrived in New York in January 2014, he came with one of the most anticipated contracts in recent MLB history: 7 years, $155 million, fully guaranteed. The deal reshaped how the league thinks about signing Japanese stars through the posting system, and it signaled just how much the Yankees believed in their new ace.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: New York Yankees
- Signed: January 23, 2014
- Length: 7 years (2014–2020)
- Total guaranteed value: $155 million
- Average annual value: $22.1 million
- Posting fee: $20 million
- No-trade clause: Yes
How the Deal Was Structured
The contract ran from 2014 through 2020 at an average of $22.1 million per season. Because it was fully guaranteed, Tanaka was entitled to every dollar regardless of injuries or performance — a clear sign of how much trust the Yankees placed in him from day one.
On top of his salary, the Yankees paid a $20 million posting fee to Tanaka’s former Japanese club for the right to negotiate. That money didn’t go to Tanaka directly, but it was real money out of New York’s pocket. Compared to what teams paid to post Japanese players in earlier eras, Tanaka’s posting fee was actually on the modest side.
The Fine Print
Tanaka’s deal included a no-trade clause, giving him veto power over any potential trade. He also had an opt-out after the 2017 season but chose to stay in the Bronx and see the contract through to its end in 2020. The full guarantee meant he was protected no matter what happened over those seven years.
Where Tanaka Ranks Among MLB’s Highest-Paid Pitchers
- Ranking among pitchers: #21 all-time (by total guaranteed value)
At $155 million guaranteed, Tanaka sits at No. 21 among the highest-paid pitchers in MLB history. His deal was elite for its time — competitive without reaching the very top of the market. For an international player making his first MLB contract, it was a remarkable landing spot. Rankings are calculated on total guaranteed value, excluding deferred money. Data via Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
The Road to New York
Tanaka had no prior multi-year MLB contracts before signing with the Yankees — the 2014 deal was his first professional contract outside Japan, where he had built a reputation as one of the best pitchers in the Japanese League. The jump was immediate and massive: from Asian star to ace of one of baseball’s most storied franchises.
After his deal expired following the 2020 season, Tanaka returned to Japan in 2021 to pitch for the Rakuten Eagles, closing the chapter on a remarkable seven-year run in the majors.
