Rumors: Roki Sasaki ‘seriously considering’ Yankees despite Dodgers still holding onto top spot in free agency
Roki Sasaki’s free agency gets heated up with closing date set on January 23; favorites remain Dodgers and Padres.
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Roki Sasaki [Image Credit: Larry Brown Sports]
Japanese ace pitcher Roki Sasaki is gaining all the attention in the free agency market with the closing date set on January 23. The 23-year-old has to sign with any major league team by then or he’ll be moving back to his club for the 2025 run.
Currently, the top favorites remain the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. However, one of the NY teams can move up to the third spot with rumors surrounding the New York Yankees.
According to the latest report by insider Tom Smith, Roki Sasaki might seriously consider the pinstripes as his MLB debut option. The Yankees have homed several Japanese stars one being Sasaki’s idol Hideki Matsui.
However, Matsui is not the only one who can motivate the pitcher to join the Bronx. Yankees history, the “allure of the pinstripes”, the bonus pool, and the coaching staff are all good selling points for any player.
Source: The New York Yankees are one of, if not the only east coast team RHP Roki Sasaki is seriously considering in his free agent process. A large bonus pool, a good pitch, and the allure of the pinstripes in which many Japanese players have succeeded in are all selling points
— Tom Smith (@Tom_Smith717) January 8, 2025
While his agent Joel Wolfe did mention a smaller market is ideal for Sasaki, the final decision depends on him. His agent wants him to have a smooth debut in MLB following his harsh media treatment in Japan.
Right now, the rookie is enjoying some cool-off time in Japan and is expected to make his decision known after meeting with a few teams again. There are also rumors of a mystery team emerging in the race, but details are unknown.
Dodgers expectedly hold No.1 position for Roki Sasaki signing
Since the conclusion of WBC Roki Sasaki caught the attention of the MLB world. Many believed he’d end up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as two of his World Baseball Classic teammates are signed with the team.
Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are closely linked to Sasaki. Furthermore, the Dodgers are not afraid to spend in free agency if it’s a top player like the ace pitcher.
Recently, a report mentioned how the team is holding off their international amateur signings until Sasaki decides on his destination. If he joins the Dodgers the team will need to spend its all allocated finance on signing Sasaki.
The Dodgers seem to be expecting to sign RHP Roki Sasaki, as they are putting their international amateur signees on hold. A source says they are proposing to their 2025 class that they sign in 2026.
— Marcos Grunfeld ?? / Sígueme en YouTube (@TheBeatwriter) January 7, 2025
Sasaki has not made any decision yet
They have apparently proposed that the 2025 class sign in 2026 as a decision may change the course of action. At least 20 MLB teams are interested in getting Sasaki’s services but who the lucky team will be is yet to be seen.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2137 Articles Published)