Mets Meet With Highly-Sought After Japanese Pitcher Roki Sasaki
The New York Mets are in the running for Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old right-handed pitching sensation from Japan. [SNY](https://www.sny.tv/) first reported that the Mets had a meeting with Sasaki, confirming league sources. This comes as no surprise, as Sasaki represents a highly coveted talent in international baseball.
Stiff Competition for Sasaki
The Mets, however, face a fierce competition for Sasaki’s signature. While the exact number of teams meeting with him during this initial round of introductions remains unclear, it’s widely anticipated to be a large number. The New York Yankees, managed by Brian Cashman, have openly stated their intention to meet with Sasaki. Other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres also appear to be strong contenders given their track record and interest in international talent.
Signing Timeline and Key Considerations
Sasaki officially posted earlier this month, giving teams a limited window to court him. Teams can officially sign him starting January 15th, when the new international signing period opens. But his 45-day posting period concludes on January 24th, creating a tight window for negotiations and visa processing. Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, has expressed a hope for a signing closer to January 15th, ensuring enough time for a smooth transition to spring training.
While international bonus pools, ranging from $5.1 million to $7.5 million, are the primary factor in signings, Wolfe has hinted that Sasaki may not prioritize the highest bid. Factors like player development track record and organizational culture will also play a significant role in Sasaki’s decision.
Sasaki’s Impressive Stats and Performance
Last season in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Sasaki showcased his immense talent with a 10-5 record, a 2.35 ERA, and a stellar 1.036 WHIP. He struck out 129 batters while walking just 32 in 111 innings pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
The Mets’ Strong Standing & Approach
The Mets appeared to be in an advantageous position early on in the Sasaki sweepstakes. Their success in signing Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and his seamless transition to Major League Baseball has earned the Mets respect within the industry. Their pursuit of Japanese free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason, although ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated their commitment to international talent acquisition.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns made a personal trip to Japan in September to watch Sasaki pitch, marking a clear expression of interest and respect. During the Winter Meetings, Stearns revealed that the Mets had already submitted a comprehensive presentation to Sasaki’s agency, highlighting their organizational strengths and capabilities.
Stearns emphasized key aspects of the Mets’ approach:
“We highlight a variety of different things. The first is who we are as an organization, what we believe in, what we think makes us a little unique compared to other teams he might be considering. We highlight the various services we can provide for a player. We highlight our familiarity with transitioning a Japanese starter to the major-league schedule. We highlight our pitching apparatus, our health apparatus, our nutrition apparatus. We want him to know we have the resources and the ability to make the transition as smooth as possible.”
(Photo of Roki Sasaki: Eric Espada / Getty Images)
Will the Mets be able to secure the services of this exciting young talent?
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!