YES Network analyst and former Yankees starter Al Leiter previews Masahiro Tanaka’s much-anticipated debut (7 p.m., Friday, vs. Blue Jays) with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Do you think Tanaka’s stuff will translate well to the US?
A: Watching some of his games, he’s going to be 92-94 (mph), which puts you above the speed limit. The split-finger that he throws, and I know that’s a popular pitch among the Japanese pitchers, it’s very good. It’s a wipeout-type split-finger that has a lot of action on it. He has a good curveball, I wouldn’t say it’s great. The slider is also good. But he has that splitter that even when guys are even looking for it, they can’t hit it.
Q: How difficult will the adjustment process be?
A: These players today have a much better understanding of what American baseball is all about. They followed the [Hideo] Nomos, the Ichiros, the [Hideki] Matsuis and they were thinking about being the next one to come over here. So, the transition for a guy like Tanaka is easier.
Q: How good do the Yankees need Tanaka to be?
A: Along with the money and the hype that goes with it, he has to be one of the front-end starters for them to compete. I don’t know whether that’s 1, 2, or 3. Any team that wants to go deep into the playoffs and win a World Series needs three quality starters. For the Yankees to compete in the East, he has to be quality and that’s 200-plus innings, an ERA in the 3’s and a 15-plus wins.
Q: Where’s your concern level over CC Sabathia?
A: I am still a believer that CC is going to have a good year. After you realize your fastball is not 94-95 (mph) anymore, it’s difficult to have confidence that it is good enough to get major league hitters out. I still believe it is. What he wants to do is develop another pitch that can keep the right-handers off the changeup away. I think he has enough in the arsenal, but he can’t throw middle of the plate and not get hurt, and that’s going to be a struggle when he’s off his game.
Q: Which offseason pick will end up being the most important for the Yankees?
A: [Brian] McCann, I think Yankees fans are going to love this guy. He’s a gamer, he’s not afraid to get in the face of guys — you saw what he did with Jose Fernandez and Carlos Gomez last year. He loves to know the staff and catch a good game. He’s got that look, that Thurmon Munson, gritty, let’s-get-after-it look. I think Yankee Stadium is going to be great for him.