The Boston Red Sox have reinforced their rotation with young talent and experienced arms this offseason, but many fans hope for one more addition to the staff before spring training opens.
Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki was posted as an international amateur free agent during the 2024 Winter Meetings. The 23-year-old boasts elite velocity and some of the most dangerous stuff in the game. He has between Jan. 15-23 to sign a minor-league deal with an MLB club before his posting window closes.
Sasaki and his agent, Joel Wolfe, have met with seven of 20 teams interested in signing the young flamethrower. Unfortunately for Boston fans, the Sox were not among them. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said in a Dec. 30 presser that the Red Sox have not been invited to meet with Sasaki but have a presentation at the ready if he does eventually meet with the club.
Despite Boston's standing in the Sasaki race, MLB named the Red Sox among potential landing spots for the righty. The Cubs, Rangers, Giants, Dodgers, Mets and Yankees have all met with Sasaki, but didn't all earn a spot on the list.
Red Sox named by MLB as a top destination for Roki Sasaki despite not meeting with young ace
Roki Sasaki could "visit one or two cities as he tries to finalize the decision-making process"
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 31, 2024
The Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers, are among the teams that have met with Sasaki https://t.co/G7B7DuxUWR pic.twitter.com/TOXsF4zhF3
Twenty out of 30 teams in the league have submitted some kind of proposal to Sasaki and the Red Sox are likely in the mix there. Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com said the Sox are "very serious" about making a pitch to the young ace. Breslow gave insight into what the Red Sox may have told Sasaki's team.
“We pitched why we feel like Boston is a great environment for NPB pitchers to come over,” Breslow said. “We can speak to our track record of success. But ultimately, it’s not our decision. We’ll obviously be ready and available to pitch the organization if we get that opportunity.”
For now, the Red Sox remain on the outside of the Sasaki chase. There are still a few weeks before his signing deadline, so if Boston is lucky, something may change before then.