Roki Sasaki is the most coveted Japanese prospect for the 2025 baseball season. If you have not heard of Roki Sasaki, you will. He is a 23-year-old starting pitcher. Saski’s agent, Joel Wolfe, met with reporters at the Winter Meetings in Dallas on December 10 about the complicated process for Sasaki’s decision. The complex process has already begun, with Sasaki and Wolfe set to map out a schedule to meet with teams.
The 23-year-old Japanese right-handed starting pitcher is probably the top free agent on the market following Juan Soto’s decision to sign with the Mets earlier this week. Roki Sasaki was formally posted by his club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, on December 9, and his 45-day window to negotiate with teams began on December 10. This article will discuss his impressive statistics and where he might end up.
Roki Sasaki’s Statistics
Roki Sasaki’s statistics are limited. He started pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines at 19. He was 4-2 with a 1.84 ERA in 2021. In 2022 he was 9-4 with a 2.02 ERA. In 2023 he was 7-4 with a 1.78 ERA. Last season he was 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA.
Overall, Sasaki has a 30-15 record with a sparkling 2.02 ERA. There is always some question whether a Japanese pitcher’s stuff will translate to Major League Baseball. In Japan they also use a six-man starting rotation, one more than in the United States. Nevertheless, Roki Sasaki should do well in Major League Baseball.
Sasaki’s Likely Suitors
The bidding war for Sasaki will begin in earnest when the 2025 signing window opens. The 2025 signing window opens on January 15, and the Roki Sasaki negotiating window closes on January 23, so he will sign somewhere by then. Signing in 2025 would allow Chiba Lotte to recoup a greater value for posting him, because of the larger international bonus pool. Nevertheless, Sasaki’s agent intimated that Sasaki would prioritize fit over money. So, who is Sasaki likely to sign with?
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are the most likely landing spot for Sasaki. They lost pitcher Blake Snell to the San Francisco Giants before last season. The Padres have not recovered, leaving an opening in their starting rotation. As a bonus, they are located on the West Coast. A West Coast team is thought to be the preferred landing spot for all Japanese baseball players.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants also lost Blake Snell to the Los Angeles Dodgers before this season. The Dodgers and Giants are vicious rivals, so this was a huge defection. Now San Francisco has a gap in their starting rotation for Sasaki. Plus, San Francisco is also on the West Coast.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Who knows, maybe the Los Angeles Dodgers will have a different starting pitcher for every day of the week. The Dodgers are thought to be serious contenders for Sasaki, even though they have a full starting rotation, because of the density of Japanese players on their roster. That density is thought to make Sasaki more comfortable. The Dodgers are also on the West Coast.
Seattle Mariners
The final West Coast team considered a serious contender for Roki Sasaki is the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have not signed a big Japanese star since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. The Mariners need pitching, so Sasaki would make sense for them, and they have the money to spend.
Others
Wolfe said all teams were possibilities for Sasaki, but in reality, only teams that need starting pitching are serious contenders. Plus, fans can not see Sasaki landing on a small or mid-market team, though Wolfe said Sasaki would consider them. The Los Angeles Angels are contenders, as are the Detroit Tigers, and the Kansas City Royals.
Conclusion
Roki Sasaki will help any team he signs with, he is that good and that young. Despite the fact his agent said he could sign anywhere it is likely he will end up with a West Coast baseball team that needs pitching. The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are the most likely signing spots, though it is unwise to bet against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
