After losing generational talent Juan Soto to the New York Mets, who offered him a historic 15-year, $765 million contract, the New York Yankees have stayed active in the offseason. Undeterred by their crosstown rivals’ victory, the Yankees quickly bolstered their roster by signing left-handed pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and acquiring outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger.
Despite these additions, the Yankees show no signs of slowing down in their efforts to improve the team that made it to the World Series last season for the first time since 2009. On December 19, reports revealed that Yankees executives met with 23-year-old Japanese left-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki, bringing them a step closer to landing their next pitching target. Sasaki, known for his blazing fastball that has been clocked at 102 mph, has been a standout for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League.
Over the course of four seasons with the Marines, Sasaki posted an impressive 10-5 record in 2024, with a 2.35 ERA, a 1.036 WHIP, and an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio of 129 to 32. Despite Sasaki’s professional experience, his status as an international amateur player limits his initial contract offer to around $5 million.
Roki Sasaki
Interestingly, the Yankees now find themselves in competition with the Mets once again. On the same day the Yankees met with Sasaki, the Mets also had a meeting with the young pitcher. While Sasaki’s decision is unlikely to be influenced by future financial promises, the Mets’ reputation for an “innovative” approach to pitching under their new president of baseball operations, David Stearns, could make them an attractive option. Their emphasis on analytics and advanced pitching development might appeal to Sasaki, who has expressed a desire to reach the highest level of the sport.
The Yankees aren’t the only team vying for Sasaki’s services. He has reportedly met with officials from the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and possibly the San Francisco Giants. However, the Yankees can take some solace in the fact that their American League rivals, the Boston Red Sox, have yet to secure a meeting with Sasaki, as confirmed by Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, who remains hopeful for a future opportunity to engage in the process.
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