Roki Sasaki meets with Mets

In the heart of the 2024-25 MLB offseason, the New York Mets are making strategic moves to bolster their roster. There is no question that their blockbuster signing of Juan Soto has blown the doors off of free agency. And the Mets, who were rank outsiders, licking their wounds just two months ago, are now seen as a prime destination for some of the biggest names on the market.

Their latest endeavor involves a meeting with Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander lusted after by everyone in baseball.

Sasaki’s pitching arsenal is nothing short of extraordinary. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 202 pounds, he possesses a fastball that consistently clocks between 96-100 mph, occasionally touching 102, delivered with remarkable ease. Complementing this is his devastating splitter, averaging over 91 mph, which has been described as one of the best in the world, boasting a whiff rate exceeding 57% in the 2024 season.

During his tenure with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Sasaki’s performance was stellar. In the 2022 season, he maintained a 2.02 ERA over 129.1 innings, striking out 173 batters while issuing only 23 walks, reflecting a K-BB% of 30.6%. The following year, he improved further, achieving a 1.78 ERA across 91 innings, with 135 strikeouts and 17 walks, elevating his K-BB% to 34.2%.

Sasaki’s international experience includes representing Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Notably, in the semifinal against Mexico, he pitched four innings, allowing five hits and three runs, and recording three strikeouts. His fastball during this game averaged 100.5 mph, peaking at 101.9 mph, while his splitter averaged 91.2 mph with significant vertical break.

The Mets' meeting with Sasaki underscores their commitment to enhancing their pitching rotation. However, they face competition from other MLB teams, including the New York Yankees, who have also scheduled a meeting with the Japanese ace.

Due to MLB’s international signing rules, Sasaki, being under 25, is subject to international bonus pools and can only sign a minor-league contract. The international signing period opens on January 15, 2025, at which point Sasaki will be eligible to formalize a contract with an MLB team.

As the offseason progresses, the baseball community keenly watches where Sasaki will land, anticipating the significant impact he is poised to make in Major League Baseball. There is little doubt that the Mets would not have been a major contender for Sasaki in October. But this is a different world, and this meeting could turn out to be a big one.

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