Ervin Santana could be the top priority of several teams that lost out on the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes.
Elaine Thompson/Associated Press
The New York Yankees' signing of Japanese starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, which was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, affects the rest of the offseason in more ways than one. And probably more than even two or three ways.
Tanaka's seven-year, $155 million deal was even larger than had been expected for the 25-year-old, which would seemingly boost the asking price for the top starting pitchers remaining on the free-agent market.
With one fewer option available, the teams that lost out on the Tanaka sweepstakes could now feel a sense of urgency to get something done. There could be as many as six or seven teams, including the Yankees, in the mix to sign Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana.
The addition of Tanaka to the Yankees' rotation could also force the hands of their division rivals, the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox. While neither has been strongly connected with either of the front-line starters throughout the offseason, they could now counter the Tanaka signing by making a splash of their own.
Here's a look at how the remainder of the front-line starting pitching dominos may fall.
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