The countdown is on, and baseball fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the big announcement. Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki is getting ready to decide which MLB team will be lucky enough to land his electric arm for 2025, and the clock is ticking. The international signing period kicks off on January 15. As for which team that will be? Well, there’s no shortage of suitors. The Los Angeles Dodgers, always hungry for pitching talent, are reportedly watching his every move.  

And let’s not forget the New York Yankees, who may be eyeing Sasaki as the ace they’ve been missing for years. Both teams are on high alert, and with good reason—this 22-year-old sensation is one of the most exciting pitching prospects to come out of Japan in a generation. Sasaki’s decision could send shockwaves through the MLB, and whichever team gets him will likely consider it an early Christmas gift (even if it’s arriving fashionably late). 

Yankees’ huge Japanese heritage to attract Roki Sasaki? 

In March 1956, Sports Illustrated sent writer Jimmy Jemal to Japan to explore the Yankees’ immense popularity. Interviewing locals at the Itami Air Base in Osaka, Jemal, uncovered a deep admiration for the team. Japanese fans cited iconic Yankees like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. They admired the Yankees not just for their power and athleticism but also for their all-around skills and sportsmanship, drawing a parallel to the spirit of judo.  

Fans also praised the Yanks’ approachable nature, noting how players like manager Casey Stengel and Mickey Mantle, with his slugging power, made a personal connection with them. The team’s charm extended beyond the game, as many felt a personal bond with the players, who smiled, shook hands, and even shared meals with them. Mickey Mantle, in particular, was hailed as a hero, with one fan from Osaka remarking that “no Japanese play like second-base fielder, Martin,” and calling their town “crazy for Yankees.” 

So can Roki Sasaki be interested in the rich history that the Yankees have with his home country? Maybe. The Yankees have a reputation for turning their pitching staff into a formidable force, especially with studs like Fried and Gerrit Cole anchoring the rotation. Their infrastructure is solid, and they’ve got the talent to nurture a future ace. And now that Juan Soto is packing his bags for the Mets, the urgency is even greater. Losing Soto is a blow, no doubt, but it’s also an opportunity—spend big and retool this team for the future.  

Dodgers’ rapid rise as Japan’s premier team  

It’s easy to see why the Dodgers have been the frontrunner in the Sasaki sweepstakes for months. Los Angeles isn’t just a place with deep pockets and a lineup of All-Stars—it’s an organization that gets it, top to bottom. The Dodgers have built a culture of winning that combines the best of both worlds—superstar acquisitions and a homegrown pipeline that churns out talent year after year.  

And for Sasaki, that balance is exactly what makes LA so appealing. Let’s start with the farm system. The Dodgers have one of the deepest, most well-stocked minor league systems. Whether it’s nurturing pitchers with analytics and old-school mentorship or developing hitters who can thrive in a modern game, LA has proven time and again that they know how to grow their own stars.   

So, Sasaki can become a part of a franchise that understands how to cultivate talent over time, rather than simply relying on a big name or quick fixes. And then there’s the rotation. If Sasaki heads to LA, he’s not walking into a pressure cooker where he’s expected to be the guy from day one. Far from it. With stars like Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and potentially Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he would be part of a star-studded pitching staff.    

Other Potential suitors for the Japanese Phenom Sasaki

1. The San Diego Padres  

In baseball’s arms race, the team may be the best-kept secret. They now appear to have Roki Sasaki as a new target on their radar. Yu Darvish, the Padres’ seasoned star, already gives the team an edge. In addition to being one of the best pitchers of his time, Darvish was also Sasaki’s mentor. Having been around for a while, Darvish knows where Sasaki needs to improve. 

The Padres have evolved from a small-market franchise. They have made significant investments in their stars—Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and even Juan Soto have all lived in San Diego. They obviously don’t hesitate to spend where it counts when they make that kind of financial commitment. A low-key team like the Padres would make sense because the 23-year-old pitcher has also stated that he finds too much media attention to be bothersome. So, everyone benefits from this circumstance.  

2. The New York Mets 

With the shocking signing of Juan Soto to a massive $765 million contract, the New York Mets are in win-now mode. Additionally, the squad has made it very apparent that their goal is to dominate rather than merely compete. Although Soto is the focus of the press, Roki Sasaki is the second intriguing component that could help them win the championship. Sasaki might be the ideal addition to the Mets’ offense as they search for a top-tier pitcher. But for a 23-year-old, New York’s unabashed media presence may seem like a double-edged sword.  

Being in the spotlight is not every player’s ambition. Let’s face it, though: this is New York City. The Mets could immediately give Sasaki a significant role on the field. It’s also important to note that the Mets have a history of rapidly developing pitchers, and Sasaki only needs to look at Kodai Senga as an example of success. Since joining the Mets, the Japanese right-hander has been a revelation, demonstrating that this organization is adept at developing talent from the outside. Not to be overlooked is the financial aspect. Steve Cohen doesn’t hesitate to show off his checkbook. He would undoubtedly spend a fortune to keep Sasaki in place for the long term if he were to live up to his enormous potential.   

3. The Texas Rangers  

Although Texas might not immediately spring to mind as a “destination for pitching greatness,” we do know that Roki Sasaki is a pitcher who thinks things through. Let’s not mince words: the Rangers had a terrible season last year. Although Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom, and Jon Gray are all seasoned professionals, the Rangers haven’t established a strong foundation for pitching development, and those arms are all getting older. In terms of long-term stability, Texas doesn’t exactly shout “guaranteed success” to Sasaki. 

The catch is that Sasaki agreed to meet with the Rangers. Takeaway? Perhaps it’s the attraction of a somewhat less well-known market in contrast to the glamor of New York or Los Angeles. Perhaps it’s the prospect of a more laid-back life, free from the media pressures, which would allow Sasaki to focus and grow. Although Texas is not a small market, it is also not as crowded as some of the other clubs in the mix. That might appeal to someone like Sasaki.

Where do you think Roki Sasaki would finally land? Keep the speculations coming…