In Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees buy a ready-made ace
After seven seasons with NPB's Rakuten Golden Eagles, Masahiro Tanaka is coming to MLB.
Chuck Solomon/SI
*****
A star in Japan, Masahiro Tanaka pitched on the country's World Baseball Classic team in 2009 and 2013.
Koji Watanabe/Getty Images
*****
Adjusting to a new pitching routine will be one of Masahiro Tanaka's many challenges in the U.S.
Chuck Solomon/SI
*****
Masahiro Tanaka shakes hands with Joe Girardi during his introductory press conference in January.
Jim McIssac/Getty Images
*****
Masahiro Tanaka will face increased attention as the latest Japanese star to come to Major League Baseball.
Chuck Solomon/SI
A baseball in a shiny silvery sheathing, like a 25-year-old ace pitcher up for bid, may be a beguiling aesthetic. But the true beauty of it comes in the unwrapping.
