Well, now that fans know where Soto will be playing, the next big thing—Roki Sasaki, the Japanese pitching phenom, who is quickly becoming the name to watch after Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. After a stellar season with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki is ready to be a force in MLB. It’s no surprise that every single MLB team has taken notice. After all, why wouldn’t they? Price will not be an issue here, and at just 22 years old, Sasaki’s got a bright future ahead.

Roki Sasaki will be considered an ‘amateur’ international free agent, meaning teams will have to work within the international salary pool cap. So, while the price tag might not be a major concern, where he lands depends largely on the team’s pitch to him. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been considered the favorites, especially given their recent championship win. But don’t count out the Padres, especially with their connection to fellow Japanese star Yu Darvish.

Now, there’s another team that’s making its way into the conversation: the San Francisco Giants. According to an insider who spoke to Foul Territory, the Giants are becoming a “very attractive landing spot for starting pitchers”. And when you have a general manager like Buster Posey, who’s all-in on praising Sasaki, that certainly helps. The insider revealed, “Buster Posey has been saying a lot of nice things about Roki Sasaki.”

Moreover, Roki Sasaki isn’t just another pitcher; he’s a sensation. He has one of the nastiest splitters and throws a fastball that can reach speeds of over 100 mph. His age is also a very big factor. At just 20 years old, he threw a perfect game while playing in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), accomplishing something that most pitchers can only dream of. What’s even more mind-blowing? He almost threw two perfect games in a row. Unfortunately, his manager pulled him out of the game. but Sasaki was one inning away from a back-to-back perfect game.

An unexpected team with an unexpected advantage around Roki Sasaki

The Chicago White Sox are reportedly eyeing a major international talent: Roki Sasaki. According to Fansided.com, David Keller, special assistant to GM Chris Getz, laid it out like this: “Each and every team is trying to find competitive advantages, and one of those advantages can be knowing the marketplace over there and also utilizing our bonus pool money to acquire those players,” raving about Sasaki’s potential.

“His performance and what he brings to the table in terms of youth and ability, it’s really exciting,” he said, adding, “The opportunity to acquire that for the price point is something that I’m sure every team is going to be looking to do.” A Sasaki signing on the South Side of Chicago? It’s a long shot, no doubt; the team’s recent trade of ace Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox at the Winter Meetings didn’t exactly scream “contender.” But what gives the club an advantage over other teams is money.

The White Sox can offer Sasaki the full value of their bonus pool. This may appeal to the Japanese pitcher if money is something he will take into account. If Sasaki is open to the idea of becoming the face of a franchise and leading a rebuild, Chicago can offer him that opportunity. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres already have so many star players on their roster that Sasaki may not be able to shine through. They also don’t have the same bonus pool flexibility.