The New York Yankees were very involved in the Justin Verlander sweepstakes, as the club was clearly looking for a dependable No. 2 starter. There were some rumors that Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who went back to pitch in Japan last season, would return to the Yankees. Tanaka has made his final decision on where he'll pitch in 2022.

So, Masahiro Tanaka will pitch in Japan in 2022. Tanaka's contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles contained an opt-out for the 2022 season, but Yahoo Japan reports that the 33-year-old will return to his native country, rather than possibly pitch for the Yankees.

Tanaka, who cited his level of comfort and safety in this country as one of the reasons he left the Yankees for Japan, was perhaps still of that same opinion.

Or maybe the MLB lockout and the uncertainty that would place over any potential contract talks with the Yankees played a part in Tanaka's decision.

It certainly wasn't an issue of fit, as Tanaka and the Yankees were a great match for each other. The ace right-hander came to New York after signing a seven-year, $155 million deal. New York was never too big for Tanaka, who went 78-46 with a 3.74 ERA in 1,054 1/3 career innings across seven seasons.

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A big-game pitcher, Tanaka rose to the occasion for New York in the postseason a few times, as evidenced by his career 3.33 ERA in 10 career playoff starts.

It's sad news for the Yankees and their fans, though Tanaka was always going to do what was best for he and his family, as he should have. Yankees fans and the MLB world wish Tanaka the best of success in 2022.