Rocky Sasaki shuts out Yankees, Giants, decision looms
The San Francisco Giants reportedly said that Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki will not sign with them during his signing period that opens on Jan. 15, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Giants general manager Zack Minasian provided an update during talks regarding the signing of veteran starter Justin Verlander, according to Slusser. The Giants met with Rocky Sasaki in person this offseason. In the end, their chase was short and they were the first of the eight known teams in the race to be eliminated.
The New York Yankees were eliminated shortly thereafter, according to Jack Curry of the IES Network.
The Giants were on the list with the Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. Now we know it will be one of six other teams. Many believe it The Dodgers and Padres are the main contenders to get a young Japanese pitcher, but it remains to be seen what he really wants in the team he ends up playing for in the MLB.
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The Mets are the other team he is not expected to sign Sasaki, according to SNI’s Andy Martin.
As January 15th quickly approaches, Sasaki has already eliminated some teams in running. This is beneficial for teams eliminated before that date, as they can remain committed to the international free agents they planned to sign before Sasaki’s decision. The Giants, Yankees and possibly the Mets can now turn their attention elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see where Sasaki ends up signing and when he signs with a team during the January 15-23 window. With teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, Rangers, Padres and Blue Jays remaining in the picture, the landscape of the league could change very quickly depending on the outcome. Wherever Sasaki ends up pitching, he’s a potential ace-level pitcher who would be cheap for six seasons before he hits free agency.
2025-01-13 19:52:00
