Report: Giants expected to be ‘important players’ for Sasaki originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Giants made a big signing on Saturday, but could there be another monumental move on the horizon for San Francisco?
Coveted free agent pitcher Roki Sasakia superstar in Japan’s Nippon Proffesional Baseball league, is expected to be released during the upcoming MLB Winter Meetings. ESPN’s Jeff Pasan reported Saturdayciting sources.
While teams will be lining up to try to secure the right-hander’s services, the Giants are among a handful of clubs expected to be “important players” for Sasaki, Passan reported Saturday.
However, San Francisco is not the only NL West club pursuing the superstar pitcher, as Passan mentioned the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres as serious suitors for Sasaki.
The other “important players” for Sasaki mentioned by Passan are the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.
Teams vying for Sasaki will have 45 days to convince the star pitcher to join their team once he is assigned to his current team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. Because Sasaki is only 23 years old, he is only eligible to sign as an international amateur, which comes with a financial cap, rather than breaking the open cap he would likely do in a normal free agency.
Sasaki comes from a sensational 2024 season for the Marines, posting a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched.
After strengthening the alignment with the supposed incorporation of AdamesCould the Giants tap into their pitching staff and complement a rotation led by perennial Cy Young Award candidate Logan Webb?
Will Sasaki want to join his Samurai Japan teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the Dodgers? Or will he relish the opportunity to compete against them and welcome the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park as his new home?
Time will tell…
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