Now that Juan Soto’s contract and deal are done and dusted, there’s another crown jewel taking all the attention—Roki Sasaki, who was finally posted by his Japanese team this week. So, now, MLB teams are lined up for the stellar pitcher. And why not? Many compare him to Yoshinobu Yamamoto; some even call him better than the Dodger pitcher, and that says a lot about his potential. Now 23, he first came into notice when he was just 19 for his performance. Plus, in World Baseball 2023, he garnered even more attention. One MLB team that is immensely interested in him is the New York Yankees!
GM Brian Cashman has recently confirmed that Sasaki is a key target for the team in pursuit of bolstering the rotation. This pursuit comes right after the Yankees signed Max Fried for an eight-year, $218 million deal. With all that money saved from the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they seem to be using it for overall lineup development. Though the Yankees may have financial muscle, this really won’t matter in the case of Sasaki. They will require a different approach to sway him, and it seems like being passionate with words is one of Cashman’s big breakthrough plans!
New York’s next target: Roki Sasaki
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New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman mentioned that the team has prepared a comprehensive presentation for Sasaki. It’s aimed to entice him to join the Yankees, of course. It highlights the Yankees’ legacy and their top-tier training facility, plus a plan for Sasaki’s future with them. “His intent is to be one of the game’s greatest pitchers on the planet. We certainly would love to participate in allowing that to happen,” Cashman noted about Sasaki and his future with the pinstriped team.
As Sasaki’s free agency unfolds, his decision will revolve around more than just the financial offer. Like Shohei Ohtani’s entry into the MLB, Sasaki’s future will be shaped by teams that present a more strategic vision for his development than simply offering the biggest paycheck. Given how the Yankees are putting that effort into giving him just that, it will be fascinating to see where he lands. And whether the Yankees lose out on this sweepstakes like the Soto one or clinch this gem off the market. The road ahead, although, won’t be easy, given Sasaki’s agent has revealed a speed breaker.
A hiccup that could spoil the Yankee’s plan
Roki Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, believes that signing with the big-market teams may not be in the best interest of Sasaki. The big market teams, however, are extremely interested, and it’s not just the New York Yankees. The San Diego Padres have interest, plus the LA Dodgers are a favorite landing spot that many speculate for Sasaki. Andrew Friedman called Sasaki “a major priority” for the team. But in the end, he might not join them at all.
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Wolfe mentioned, “I think there’s an argument to be made that a smaller, mid-market team might be more beneficial for him as a soft landing.” The reason is Sasaki’s poor experience with the media back in Japan. That experience scarred him, and he might need a quieter place to give him that comfortable transition. Given that, Sasaki landing in the New York Yankees seems like a long shot.
However, the most long-shot instances, when they come true, make the best stories. Just like Juan Soto joining New York, but not the team that most thought. So, do you think Sasaki will end up in pinstripes? Let us know in the comments below.