The Major League Baseball (MLB) offseason is heating up as one of the most coveted international talents, Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, becomes the center of attention for several franchises. The 23-year-old pitcher, previously with the Chiba Lotte Marines, has officially been posted, and now teams are scrambling to secure his services.
The New York Yankees are leading the charge. Known for their impressive roster and storied history with Japanese players like Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees are making aggressive moves to land Sasaki. Jon Heyman reports the Yankees traveled to Los Angeles to meet Sasaki, hoping to leverage their rich legacy to entice him. With the team's rotation already featuring stars like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, adding Sasaki would make for one of the most formidable pitching staffs in MLB history.
But it’s not just the Yankees who are aligning their strategies. The Boston Red Sox, thanks to their history of successful signings like Hideo Nomo and Daisuke Matsuzaka, are also eyeing Sasaki. Red Sox executive Craig Breslow has begun revamping the team and sees Sasaki as the perfect addition to bolster their pitching rotation alongside ace Garret Crochet.
Across the league, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are viewed as serious contenders. The Dodgers benefit from having both Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two stars capable of assisting Sasaki’s transition to MLB. Meanwhile, Padres manager Mike Shildt expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of adding Sasaki, emphasizing San Diego’s competitive environment and history of Japanese players, which could be appealing for Sasaki.
Adding another layer to this narrative is Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, who has advised his client to not solely focus on the financial aspects of the signing but to think long-term. The complexity of MLB’s international signing rules means Sasaki won’t be subject to the exorbitant financial packages typical of domestic free agents.
Several teams are positioning themselves dynamically. The Padres, with their close ties to Yu Darvish—a respected figure among Japanese players—are also making their case. Darvish's presence could sway Sasaki's decision, especially considering they share cultural nuances and the potential for camaraderie.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs have entered the fray as a dark horse. With players like Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga already part of the Cubs roster, team president Jed Hoyer believes their experiences could make Chicago appealing to Sasaki. The Cubs offer the added advantage of being seen as a smaller market team, which may alleviate the intense media scrutiny typically experienced by athletes under the bright lights of New York or Los Angeles.
Interestingly, Sasaki’s decision is not something to be taken lightly. The young pitcher must weigh his options carefully. Having had negative experiences with the Japanese media, Wolfe’s advice to aim for less scrutiny could resonate with Sasaki, potentially favoring teams with lower profiles. Although the Yankees and Mets may attract attention for their winning legacies, Sasaki might find solace and growth opportunities with teams like the Cubs or Padres.
Overall, MLB executives are divided—but hopeful—for what Sasaki can bring. ESPN’s David Schoenfield has picked the Padres as having the upper hand, citing their mid-market status, competitive roster, and ability to offer Sasaki necessary resources without overwhelming media attention.
With MLB’s international amateur signing period set to open on January 15, the clock is ticking for teams. Investors and fanbases alike are eager to see where Sasaki will land. Will he choose the established franchise like the Yankees or Red Sox, or will he embrace the burgeoning young talent of the Padres or Dodger? Or perhaps take the road less traveled with the Cubs? Whatever the decision, one thing is clear: Roki Sasaki's arrival to MLB is sure to make waves, and the team's future will be shaped with his addition on the roster.
