5 Teams Have Reportedly Met With Roki Sasaki in LA, Dodgers Not Among Them
Roki Sasaki has started meeting with teams even though he won’t be signing with a Major League Baseball club until at least Jan. 15, according to multiple reports.
Just a few days before the Christmas holiday, Sasaki reportedly met with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago Cubs.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young has confirmed that team representatives met with Sasaki last week, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Similarly, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants are also “believed to have met” with Sasaki and his representatives.
San Francisco stands out as a potential destination for Sasaki due to its closer proximity to Japan and its sizable Japanese population compared to cities like New York, Chicago, or Dallas-Fort Worth.
While there hasn’t been any indication from Sasaki or his agent that location is a priority in his decision, Giants general manager Zack Minasian has noted that the team’s geographic advantage could be a factor, according to Maria Guardado of MLB.com.
“Obviously, like probably all the other 29 teams, it would be a dream for us to get this guy,” president of baseball operations Buster Posey said earlier this month. “Just tremendous upside. Not too many arms in the world like his. He’s a tremendous talent. He’s 23 years old. It’s fun to dream on. It’s fun to think about him at Oracle Park and him pitching deep into a game late in the year, the place rocking. We’d be over the moon to add a guy like that.”
Minasian also pointed to Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly environment as a possible draw. Given Sasaki’s experience in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, where runs are more difficult to score, he might find a similar setting appealing. On top of that, building strong statistics in such an environment could enhance his value when he eventually reaches free agency in six years.
As for the Rangers, Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe touched on several factors that might influence Sasaki’s decision but avoided committing to any specific ones. One possibility he raised was Sasaki joining a “smaller” market team with less intense media scrutiny.
Wolfe also noted that Sasaki grew up admiring Japanese stars like Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Rangers, who originally signed Darvish, could have an edge here. Key figures from that signing — assistant GM Josh Boyd and Pacific Rim Operations Director Joe Furakawa — are still with the team and have spent years cultivating connections in Japan, positioning the Rangers as a serious player in the chase for Sasaki.
While the Rangers fit the small market criteria, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers remain the favorites, and it isn’t clear whether Sasaki has met with either team yet
More news: Walker Buehler Sends Message to Dodgers Fans on Christmas After Signing With Red Sox
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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How can it be that Freidman is saying Sasaki is a major priority and the Dodgers have not met with the guy yet?!? Seems like the Dodgers should have been the first and the last to meet with him.
Sasaki could still meet with the Dodgers in early January—with him having met with other teams being a strategy to boost his competitive advantage at the bargaining table. Remember, the Dodgers have Mark Prior who is a great draw for pitchers interested in the dodgers. Also, the Dodgers will have a six man rotation and that will relieve the stress on all starters.
Finally, the Dodgers have a feared hitting attack and that means significant run support to boost a starter’s W-L record.
Add to that a deep bullpen—and with the Dodgers still looking for an ace closer, this means they will have the middle relief to take the Dodgers all the way to the ninth inning. I am one who expects the Dodgers to land an ace closer.
The Dodgers are the destination. Sasaki already knows what he wants. But to be fair, his agent will gently force him to meet with all the other clubs. To make an informed decision, you have to see what the other clubs are offering. The Dodgers offer so much more than any of the other clubs and that will be obvious when Sasaki finally meets the Dodgers.
Dallas is a small market?
It was reported before that he had narrowed down to 5 teams, the Giants weren’t on the list that I remember?? Correct me if im wrong…
Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas Rangers) a small market??? DFW is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the USA.
On another note, how is it that Rojas hits .280 from the SS position and plays amazing defense in 2024 but get zero mentions for regular playing time in 2025?
This FO puts together teams nearly every year that wins 100 games, make the playoffs, and are favorites to win the WS. I think Friedman deserves some credit and respect for how he’s playing the Sasaki poker game. I believe he signs after Jan 15th with the Dodgers.