ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 2: Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after being taken off the mound by manager Joe Girardi during the third inning of the Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 2, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
Per the NY Daily News, the Yankees are not likely to pursue Masahiro Tanaka if he opts out of his contract.
According to team sources, the Yankees — as desperate as they may be for quality starting pitching — are annoyed at Tanaka’s agent, Casey Close, for holding the threat of a potential opt-out over their heads.