Roki Sasaki Attracts Interest from MLB Teams

Roki Sasaki, the highly sought-after Japanese pitcher, has garnered interest from several MLB teams, with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres emerging as strong contenders. Cubs insider Sahadev Sharma indicated that the Cubs may not be frontrunners for Sasaki, while the Yankees face stiff competition from the Mets, who have innovated their pitching development under new management. ESPN's David Schoenfield speculated that the Padres could be favorites due to their strong connection with Yu Darvish, Sasaki’s childhood idol. Meanwhile, the White Sox have also expressed interest, but their recent poor performance complicates their chances. Sasaki's decision is anticipated within a 45-day window following his posting, with factors such as market size and media pressure influencing his choice. Ultimately, teams will need to balance their pitches with Sasaki’s personal preferences to secure his signing.