“Roki Sasaki: Why the Yankees and Mets Were Never the Favorites”
Despite their reputation as big spenders, the New York Yankees and Mets were never considered frontrunners in the race to sign Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki. While both teams have a history of pursuing international talent, their focus seemed to lie elsewhere during Sasaki’s potential transition to Major League Baseball. Budget constraints, roster priorities, and competition from other MLB teams made their pursuit less aggressive than many expected.
Sasaki, often dubbed the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” has drawn comparisons to Shohei Ohtani for his dominance on the mound. Teams on the West Coast, like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners, were viewed as more attractive destinations due to their strong ties to Japanese players and closer proximity to Sasaki’s home country. The Yankees and Mets, despite their financial muscle, appeared to lag behind in the cultural and logistical appeal for Sasaki, making their candidacy less compelling.
Moreover, both New York teams entered the offseason with other pressing needs. The Yankees were preoccupied with bolstering their offense, while the Mets focused on rebuilding their pitching staff after key departures. These priorities, combined with Sasaki’s potential preference for a team with an established track record of integrating Japanese players, left the Yankees and Mets on the periphery of his suitors. The result was a surprising absence of New York’s usual dominance in the international market.
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