Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Cardinals Eyeing Japanese Pitching Star Roki Sasaki
Representatives from eight MLB teams turned out to catch the latest performance of NPB standout Roki Sasaki, as reported by Sports Hochi and Yahoo Japan, relayed by Dylan Hernández of The Los Angeles Times and Andy Martino of SNY, respectively. Notable among these were the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Cardinals.
At just 22 years old, Sasaki has already carved out a reputation as one of Japan’s premier hurlers. Across three seasons in the NPB, he’s racked up 283 2/3 innings, striking out 376 batters, all while maintaining a sparkling 2.00 ERA. His name hit the headlines last winter when he reportedly expressed his interest in being posted for MLB teams well ahead of schedule – a move that typically
requires players to be at least 25 years old with six professional seasons under their belt before they can ink anything more than a minor league contract. Despite the buzz, Sasaki opted to re-up with the Chiba Lotte Marines, at least temporarily shelving any talk of a potential posting. However, come the next offseason, he may revisit the idea. While it could mean passing up on a hefty payday in free agency if he’s posted before hitting the 25-year mark, his aspirations to take the mound in the big leagues are no secret.
Given Sasaki’s allure, it’s hardly shocking that MLB outfits are circling. Yet, whispers suggest the two-time NPB All-Star may have already set his sights on his destination for 2025 and beyond. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, “several GMs” have an inkling that Sasaki “already has plans to sign with the Dodgers” come the 2024-25 offseason.
According to one GM, “There’s no way he’s going anywhere else but the Dodgers. We all know it.” While that declaration might seem resolute, it carries the whiff of speculation rather than insider knowledge. After all, seven other teams besides the Dodgers are actively scouting Sasaki, indicating they see a shot at snagging him. Moreover, even if Sasaki indeed leans toward the Dodgers, the rest of the league still has time to sway his decision.
