Shota Imanaga CONFIDENT Roki Sasaki is ‘gonna do well’ in MLB spotlight 

Roki Sasaki’s MLB posting has garnered interest from several top MLB teams as the 2024 free agency continues.

Shota Imanaga CONFIDENT Roki Sasaki is ‘gonna do well’ in MLB spotlight 

Roki Sasaki and Shota Imanaga [Image Credit: NY Post/NY Times]

One name common in the 2024 free agency is Juan Soto. Since the conclusion of the World Series, all the spotlight has been on the 26-year-old outfielder. However, it seems like there’s another name in the international market that can challenge him.

Japanese ace pitcher Roki Sasaki has recently been posted to MLB after going through the whole process with Chiba Lotte Marines. His minor league records and elite fastball-forkball combo have garnered attention from top MLB teams.

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At first, the Los Angeles Dodgers were deemed as the “heavy favorites” to sign the Japanese star considering their relation to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, many critics believe Sasaki won’t be joining the Dodgers due to these monumental figures.

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Since he’s coming to MLB at the age of 23, he’ll be restricted from signing any long-term high-end contracts. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden believes staying in the shadow of superstars like Ohtani and Yamamoto may hinder his initial growth process. Furthermore, the team themselves are focused on extending and re-signing former players from free agency.

Currently, the top priority remains outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who played a crucial role in the Dodgers World Series win. However, despite all the buzz and flashlights on Sasaki, star pitcher Shota Imanaga believes Sasaki will do well in MLB.

It’s hard to really see anybody else with those characteristics…he’s gonna do well.

Shota Imanaga on MLB Network
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Currently interested teams in MLB for Roki Sasaki are – the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. No matter which team he joins the results of his signing will be prominent from the get-go.

Will the NY Yankees lookout for Roki Sasaki in international free agency?

While the New York Yankees focus remains on re-signing outfielder Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki did drive an interest. Manager Aaron Boone thinks of Sasaki as an ace and an important front-line piece.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki [Image Credit: LA Times]

The Yankees have been looking out for Japanese players for the past years. They tried to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto but in the end, both parties failed to come to a deal. Sasaki on the other hand has interested Boone due to his technical skills, and personality.

This is a guy that you can certainly envision coming over here and being an ace and being a dominant starter. He’s got that kind of skillset. I hear really good things about the makeup.

Aaron Boone as per Inna Zeyger of Pinstripes Nation.
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However, they are currently not active in the pursuit. With Soto accepting meetings from interested teams, the Yankees will try to sign him up before making any other signing decision for the team.