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January 13 2025
Roki Sasaki: The Toronto Blue Jays, who have a reputation for seeking big-name free agents in recent offseasons, are looking for another chance to bolster their squad. The team welcomed highly sought-after Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki to Toronto last week. The Athletic received this information from people with knowledge of the facts.
The international signing window for Sasaki, 23, begins on Wednesday, making him available to sign with a Major League Baseball team. Sasaki is not required to make a decision right away, but he has until January 23 to do so in order to sign under the posting system. The young pitcher is apparently being pursued by teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs.
But the situation behind the Blue Jays' pursuit of Sasaki is complicated. The team doesn't initially appear to be Sasaki's most sensible choice. It is known that the right-hander, who is still honing his craft, places a great deal of importance on a team's pitching development. Marcus Stroman was the last Blue Jays homegrown pitcher to record 30 starts in a row in 2016 and 2017. However, that was while the former front office government was in power.
The experiences of other Japanese players in Toronto, however, might inspire Sasaki. Yusei Kikuchi, a left-hander, for example, played two seasons with the Blue Jays after signing with them as a free agency in March 2022 before being moved to the Houston Astros. Kikuchi experienced a range of outcomes throughout his stay in Toronto. Despite making 22 appearances and finishing the 2023 season with a 4.75 ERA, advanced metrics suggested that he could have performed better. Kikuchi made major changes to his pitching repertoire after being traded to the Astros. He started throwing more sliders and less curveballs, and during his ten starts with Houston, he recorded an outstanding 2.70 ERA.
The Blue Jays are still committed to bolstering their pitching staff in spite of Kikuchi's difficulties. After pursuing Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani in the previous offseason, Sasaki's case demonstrates the team's continued efforts to acquire top talent. The Blue Jays made a big impression by hosting Ohtani during the Winter Meetings at their spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida. They even gave Ohtani's dog a Canada jacket. Ohtani signed a huge 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in spite of the optimism.
The Blue Jays have been linked to a number of elite free agents this summer, including outfielder Juan Soto, who recently signed a record 15-year contract worth $765 million with the Mets. Although they haven't made a big deal yet, the Jays have been active, trading for reliever Nick Sandlin and second baseman Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians. Additionally, the organization signed free-agent relievers Yimi García and Jeff Hoffman to strengthen its bullpen.
As of right now, Bowden Francis, Chris Bassitt, José Berríos, Yariel Rodríguez, and Kevin Gausman are all expected to start for the Blue Jays. In order to bolster their bullpen, the team may be able to trade for a starting pitcher or move Rodríguez into a relief role if they are successful in acquiring Sasaki.
For the Blue Jays, Sasaki's choice will be crucial. His decision could have a significant impact on the team's future pitching development. Sasaki, one of the most well-liked young pitchers in the game, has the potential to have a big influence on the Jays' future. The franchise is still in the running, but the Blue Jays will need to present a solid argument to Sasaki because there are a number of other formidable candidates in the running.
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