If Tanaka opts out, the Yankees should say, "So long!"

I don't mind "opt-out" clauses in baseball contracts. If you think about it, every deal offers the fat, nepotistic owner an effortless opt-out: Once it ends, he gets to decide if the player must uproot his wife and kids, to restart their lives in another city. The owner never has to change bar stools at the yacht club or rent payments on his mistress' apartment. If, now and then, a player gains control over the future of his family, fine with me. 

That said, if this weekend Masahiro Tanaka presses the red EJECT button in his contract, declaring himself a free agent, I hereby propose that the Evil Empire quickly go into a full graciousness mode - wishing him the best of luck as we escort him and his memorabilia swag to the nearest concrete loading dock. If Tanaka opts-out, it should be made clear that we loved having him, cherished every minute, and we are saddened that he will not return, regardless of what he finds in the vast meadow of free agency.

This isn't about Tanaka, who I believe is worth every penny of the $67 million  the Yankees would pay him over the next three years. Nor is it about the partial tear in his elbow, which could sideline him at any time. Nor is it about his significant decline last season - 13-12 with a 4.74 ERA - to become certifiably mediocre. (He did, of course, have a stellar post-season.) 

If Tanaka walks, it clearly hurts our chances in 2018. The Yankees will need a veteran, innings-eating replacement, and such lug nuts do not come cheap. Yes, we have rookies. But until they're actually successful in the majors, Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, Domingo German, et al remain prized Scrantonians, and who knows whether Chad Green can start? My official hope: Tanaka returns under the terms that still look fair. 

But as a psychotic and, perhaps, disturbed Yankee fan, I have always believed our franchise remains the gold standard in American sports. We have the greatest tradition, the greatest track record, the greatest fan base, the greatest mountain of money, and we occupy center stage in the greatest city in the world. We do not measure success in single championships, but with dynasties. 

If someone doesn't want to play for the New York fucking Yankees, that's his right and privilege. But I suggest he first makes a private call to Robbie Cano. Tanaka has the chance to play his entire U.S. career in pinstripes and someday become a sports icon of New York City. If he prefers to kick the tires on Cincinnati for an extra million, let's wish him bon voyage.