Roki Sasaki: The Next Japanese Pitching Sensation Eyeing MLB
The Saga of Roki Sasaki's Potential Move to the Major Leagues
Based on the interview with Jim Allen, a premier Japanese baseball reporter, there are several key factors surrounding Roki Sasaki's potential move from the Chiba Lotte Marines to Major League Baseball:
The Backstory
Sasaki was highly sought after by Japanese teams when he turned pro, with 11 of the 12 teams meeting with him. However, only 4 teams ended up drafting him, hinting at his desire to eventually play in MLB.
There were rumors last year that Sasaki wanted to be posted for the MLB, but the Chiba Lotte Marines denied this. It's believed they were trying to convince him to stay in Japan for a few more seasons.
The Marines will likely post Sasaki between December 1-15, giving MLB teams a chance to negotiate with him. Waiting until the end of the window maximizes the number of teams that can make offers.
Sasaki's representatives will likely share medical information with teams upfront, rather than having them bid blindly. This allows him to weigh the best overall fit, not just the highest offer.
Factors in Sasaki's Decision
Money does not appear to be the primary motivator for Sasaki. He is passing up potentially over $100 million to come to MLB at age 23 rather than waiting a couple more seasons.
Sasaki seems focused on becoming the best player he can be, similar to Shohei Ohtani's approach. The team that can best develop him and help him reach his ceiling will likely be the winner.
Cultural differences between the hyper-competitive MLB contract landscape and the more loyalty-based NPB system could also play a role in his decision.
Potential Suitors
The Dodgers have been heavily scouting Sasaki and are rumored to be a frontrunner, but Jim Allen cautions against reading too much into those rumors.
Other teams like the A's, who have strong scouting ties in Japan, could also be in the mix. But Sasaki will likely choose the team he feels can best help him maximize his potential.
In the end, Sasaki's decision will come down to finding the right fit and environment to help him become the best pitcher possible, rather than simply chasing the highest payday. The Dodgers may be a logical landing spot, but Sasaki will have no shortage of suitors vying for his services.
Part 1/4:
Roki Sasaki: The Next Japanese Pitching Sensation Eyeing MLB
The Saga of Roki Sasaki's Potential Move to the Major Leagues
Based on the interview with Jim Allen, a premier Japanese baseball reporter, there are several key factors surrounding Roki Sasaki's potential move from the Chiba Lotte Marines to Major League Baseball:
The Backstory
Sasaki was highly sought after by Japanese teams when he turned pro, with 11 of the 12 teams meeting with him. However, only 4 teams ended up drafting him, hinting at his desire to eventually play in MLB.
There were rumors last year that Sasaki wanted to be posted for the MLB, but the Chiba Lotte Marines denied this. It's believed they were trying to convince him to stay in Japan for a few more seasons.
The Posting Process
Part 2/4:
The Marines will likely post Sasaki between December 1-15, giving MLB teams a chance to negotiate with him. Waiting until the end of the window maximizes the number of teams that can make offers.
Sasaki's representatives will likely share medical information with teams upfront, rather than having them bid blindly. This allows him to weigh the best overall fit, not just the highest offer.
Factors in Sasaki's Decision
Money does not appear to be the primary motivator for Sasaki. He is passing up potentially over $100 million to come to MLB at age 23 rather than waiting a couple more seasons.
Sasaki seems focused on becoming the best player he can be, similar to Shohei Ohtani's approach. The team that can best develop him and help him reach his ceiling will likely be the winner.
Part 3/4:
Potential Suitors
The Dodgers have been heavily scouting Sasaki and are rumored to be a frontrunner, but Jim Allen cautions against reading too much into those rumors.
Other teams like the A's, who have strong scouting ties in Japan, could also be in the mix. But Sasaki will likely choose the team he feels can best help him maximize his potential.
Part 4/4:
In the end, Sasaki's decision will come down to finding the right fit and environment to help him become the best pitcher possible, rather than simply chasing the highest payday. The Dodgers may be a logical landing spot, but Sasaki will have no shortage of suitors vying for his services.