The pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki has taken a surprising turn, as a mystery team has entered the fray. With the 2025 international signing period set to open on January 15, teams are intensifying their efforts to land Sasaki. This unexpected twist adds to the excitement of what promises to be a highly competitive signing period.
The last update from Sasaki’s camp came on December 30. His agent, Joel Wolfe, informed reporters that his client had returned home to Japan to weigh his options. Sasaki reportedly met with seven teams- the Mets, Yankees, Dodgders, Cubs, Giants, Rangers and Padres- but those may not be the only clubs in contention for his signature.
Surprise Team Joins Hunt for Roki Sasaki
While it’s unclear which other team might have spoken with Sasaki, MLB insider Jon Morosi speculated Wednesday that the Seattle Mariners could be a team to watch. Seattle has a rich history with Japanese players and a strong reputation for developing pitchers. That makes them a compelling destination for Sasaki as the signing period quickly approaches.
Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki has reportedly met with “at least” one additional team beyond the previously reported seven clubs, per @jonmorosi.#MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/bBTcHjAVy8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 8, 2025
In December, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reported that the Mariners pitch to Sasaki was expected to involve Ichiro Suzuki, further underscoring Seattle’s deep connection with Japanese players. The Mariners boast a storied history of Japanese-born talent, including Kazuhiro Sasaki, Hisashi Iwakuma, Kenji Johjima, Yusei Kikuchi and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, all of whom played for the franchise.
With this proven track record, Seattle could present a compelling case to Sasaki as he considers options. However, Sasaki’s decision may also be influenced by his childhood admiration for Masahiro Tanaka, suggesting he might have been a Yankees fan. Additionally, Sasaki considers Yu Darvish a godfather-type figure. The Padres veteran played a mentoring role during Japan’s run during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
These connections add another layer of intrigue as the international signing period approaches and Sasaki narrows down his options.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
