Yankees are among the latest to sign Japanese Roki Sasaki

This Saturday the Japanese ace Roki Sasaki announced it was available to Major League teams, becoming one of the most coveted pitching pieces on the market. His presence in a free organization through ​​the posting system with the Chiba Lotte Marines made the New York Yankees set their eyes on the ship, which will also ask for it Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, among others.

The Yankees will look to solidify their starting position after injuries changed manager Aaron Boone‘s plan in 2024, and Sasaki is an interesting option to say the least. He posted a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 32 walks and a 1,036 WHIP in 111 innings pitched in the Japanese league.

When Roki Sasaki was 9 years old, he lost his father, his grandparents, and his home during the terrible earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011.

On that day 12 years later, he made his WBC debut for Team Japan in front of 64 MLB scouts and officials.

Now the… pic.twitter.com/cRFoFakl4T

– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 10, 2024

Although the Dodgers It is considered the favorite to get his services because they have a bonus fund for this period of 2.5 million dollars, the Bronx Bombers have 1.5 million dollars available. The Baltimore Orioles have $2.15 million and the Mets only $314,000.

“Since joining the Marines, I have been hearing about my future challenges in the majors, and I am grateful to the team for allowing me to enter the -post system officially.”Sasaki said according to the MLB.com portal.

“A lot of things happened, but I was able to get to this point by focusing solely on basketball, with the support of my teammates, staff, management and fans, and so I have no regrets in my baseball career,” he added.

Here’s Roki Sasaki just dominating MLB hitters in the WBC at 21 years old.

The Dodgers were listed as “very heavy favorites” to sign him if he were to be posted.

It was just posted!pic.twitter.com/hZ1zJU26qm

— Honestly Dodgers (@HonestlyDodgers) November 9, 2024

Sasaki is expected to sign a deal similar to the one Shohei Ohtani had with the Los Angeles Angels for $2.3 million in December 2017. And since he is not yet 25 years old – like Yoshinobu Yamamoto – he must he waited to choose his multi-million dollar contract.

Whichever team signs Sasaki he will be restricted for six years before he is eligible for unrestricted free agency.