Yankees haven't had extension talks with Tanaka

The New York Yankees could lose their ace Masahiro Tanaka to free agency next season, though general manager Brian Cashman has yet to discuss an extension with the right-hander.

"We have a significant contract with Masahiro Tanaka," Cashman told reporters Tuesday, according to Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News. "Hopefully he has a great year, and then he'll have a decision to make. If he doesn't, then he won't. I think he pitched like a Cy Young award candidate last year, and I certainly hope he does so again this year. But at this point we've had no discussions internally to pursue any kind of extension."

Tanaka agreed to a seven-year, $155-million deal with the Yankees in 2014 that contains an opt-out clause after the 2017 season. Should he opt out, Tanaka would forfeit the remaining $67 million remaining on his deal, however, he'll likely earn more than that through free agency should he pitch as well as he did last season.

The 28-year-old has dealt with some injury concerns during his three-year career in the majors, but is coming off a season in which he went 14-4 with a 3.07 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 165 strikeouts in 199 2/3 innings.

The Yankees have some long-term issues with their rotation as CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda are set to hit free agency after this season.

Tanaka would be among the top tier of next year's starting pitching free-agent class alongside Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Danny Duffy, Marco Estrada, and Chris Tillman.