Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka (35) of the Rakuten Eagles has stepped down from the position of the highest-paid player in Japanese professional baseball. Tanaka renewed the contract with Rakuten on the 7th for 475 million yen (approximately 4.53 billion won). This amount is almost half of last year’s 900 million yen (approximately 8.58 billion won).

In 2016, Toshiya Sugiuchi of the Yomiuri Giants re-signed for 50 million yen, a reduction of 450 million yen from 500 million yen, which is the second largest reduction in Japanese professional baseball history.

He became a free agent 토토사이트 (free agent) capable of going abroad, but decided to stay in Rakuten. He made a realistic choice in a situation where it was difficult to re-enter the major leagues.

After seven years with the New York Yankees, Tanaka returned to Rakuten ahead of the 2021 season. He received 900 million yen, the highest annual salary in Japanese professional baseball, in 2021 and 2022 in a row.

Tanaka has been at the top for a long time. In 2013, he played a phenomenal performance recording 24 wins and losses with an ERA of 1.27 and led Rakuten to its first championship. He pitched seven years at Rakuten and transferred to the New York Yankees in the offseason of that year. After going through the posting system, he signed a contract for 7 years and 155 million dollars. He received top-notch treatment, with an average annual salary of over $20 million.

It was the best in the major leagues. He went 78-46 with a 3.74 earned run average over seven years. From his first year, he played an active role as a key pitcher by winning more than 10 games for 6 consecutive years.

When he returned to Japanese professional baseball, he couldn’t throw the ball as powerfully as he used to.

In 2021, 4 wins and 9 losses – average ERA of 3.01, last year 9 wins and 12 losses – 3.31. The 12 losses last season is the most among pitchers in the 12 teams in Japanese professional baseball.

Tanaka won 112 victories with Rakuten and 78 victories in the major leagues. He recorded 190 victories in his career in the United States and Japan. He is 10 wins away from reaching 200.