Toronto Sports Today

Toronto Sports News Continuously Updated

Toronto Blue Jays Reportedly Met with Roki Sasaki as Bidding Winds Down

by

Roki Sasaki met with the Toronto Blue Jays

Roki Sasaki has long been tipped to end up on the West Coast. However, new reports suggest that he could end up in another country entirely.

The Toronto Blue Jays have earned a reputation for repeatedly failing to sign major free agents. Just this offseason alone, they missed out on Juan Soto and, more recently, Corbin Burnes. Roki Sasaki, though, many felt they weren’t even in the conversation. Today, though, Ken Rosenthal reported that the “Blue Jays met last week with Roki Sasaki”, a major surprise to many. Furthermore, with Sasaki’s process presented by Agent Joel Wolfe, we know an in-person meeting gives Toronto a genuine shot at signing the potential superstar.

What does Toronto have to offer?

Toronto’s strength has recently been its ability to offer free agents large amounts of money. The Blue Jays reportedly offered both Ohtani and Soto deals similar to the ones they eventually accepted. The team also reportedly extended a larger offer to Corbin Burnes than the one he accepted with the Diamondbacks. However, this time will be different. Sasaki will choose a team, sign a rookie deal, and take a lump sum from that team’s international bonus pool. Reports continuously highlight how much the 23-year-old values development plans, even requiring each team to complete specific homework for him.

Unfortunately, Toronto hasn’t had much success developing pitchers under this front office. Even 3rd place Cy Young finisher Alex Manoah can’t be used on the vision board for Sasaki after his struggles the last couple of years. However, they have an excellent pitching coach in Pete Walker, who has worked with the Blue Jays since 2011. They also have an exceptional rotation for Roki to draw experience from, much like Ohtani did with Trout throughout his rookie contract. Kevin Gausman, for example, has represented five teams in his 12 years as a big leaguer. During those years he has experienced all the ups and downs possible. Also, fellow Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi started 82 games for the Blue Jays over the last three years. It would be naive to expect Sasaki not to draw on fellow Japanese player’s experiences.

There is also no doubting the city and politics play a huge role in a player’s decision, many have suggested Sasaki doesn’t want to be in the bright lights of LA or New York after his experiences in Japan. Ultimately, all these ideas are just rumours, though, and we won’t know Sasaki’s full reasoning until more than likely after his signing period closes on January 23rd.

The Favorites for Roki Sasaki

The favorites to sign Sasaki are, of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The World Series winners already bolster one of the best rotations in MLB history and have Japanese megastar Shohei Ohtani as the ultimate persuasion tool. Even if he wasn’t allowed in the meetings. The Dodgers are already making clear steps in preparation for his signature too, due to having the lowest bonus pool in the MLB. The Gavin Lux trade importantly included international bonus pool money in the return. Plus, the Dodgers also allowed prospect Darell Morel to sign with the Pirates this week in order to maintain as much of their pool as possible.

It’s not all sunshine and roses for the Dodgers, though. They also have had major issues with pitcher injuries in recent years. Top prospect Bobby Miller struggled to kick on in his second year due to both injury and inconsistencies. This could provide as a potential red flag for a fellow highly touted prospect such as Sasaki. Undeniably, the Dodgers stand as the favorites. They are the team expected to secure Sasaki’s coveted signature within a few days.

Looking to stop them are the San Diego Padres, a team with a lot of success in the international free-agent market the last few years. He would join an impressive rotation with one of the most influential Japanese players Yu Darvish. Reports have long highlighted Darvish’s influence on players coming from Japan. He reportedly had a part to play when the Cubs signed Seiya Suzuki in 2022. The downsides for the Padres, though, revolve around how unsettled the franchise is going into 2025. While Sasaki might be unaware, it would be surprising if agent Joel Wolfe allowed his client to go somewhere with such an uncertain future.

The Outsiders

Other clubs, too, have reportedly had in-person meetings with Sasaki himself. Fellow NL West team the Giants are a team with recent success helping pitchers improve. However, they were reported as out of the running as of Monday. The Mariners are also undeniably a great team to develop as a pitcher, and this is helped by being the beloved home of Ichiro Suzuki for so many years.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Both the Yankees and Mets have met with him, too. Two of the most ambitious teams in the league, who would both be willing to financially compensate Roki Sasaki if he is a success in New York. Money doesn’t seem to be a factor for Sasaki right now. However, this means he will have only one chance to secure a huge contract after he plays through his first six years. Like with the Giants, the Yankees have been ruled out at this stage.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Cubs have long been in the mix for Sasaki and will be an attractive destination. This is due to Shota Imanaga’s unexpected success in 2024. Finally, the Rangers can offer Sasaki some of the best teammates a rookie could have. Superstars Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer may have had mixed results in Texas, but there is no denying how attractive a prospect playing alongside two pitching greats would be to a guy like Sasaki.

 

 

The post Toronto Blue Jays Reportedly Met with Roki Sasaki as Bidding Winds Down appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.