MLB Rumors: Red Sox Rival Named Finalist For Roki Sasaki

Several finalists for the ongoing Roki Sasaki free agency sweepstakes emerged, including a Boston Red Sox division rival.

Sasaki, this offseason’s biggest international free agent, has garnered interest from teams all across MLB. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow took a trip to Japan during the tail-end of last season to watch the 23-year-old perform live in NPB. Yet, when examining the options laid out by big league clubs, Sasaki has undergone an elimination process, leaving three options left.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams, left in the running to sign Sasaki before his posting window closes on Jan. 23, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Sasaki is expected to make a decision as early as this week and officially join a club.

Toronto has the strongest incentive to sign Sasaki considering its star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is approaching free agency next offseason unless both sides agree on a long-term extension. Guerrero, a four-time All-Star, is entering his age-26 season as a well-established slugger poised to consider a handful of options if teams get their chance to speak with him next offseason — including the Red Sox. Boston missed out on Juan Soto this offseason after extending an offer rumored to be in the $700 million range, and Guerrero does fill a few needs. He’s a right-handed hitter, he’s capable of crushing 30-to-40 home runs any given year and hits .456 at Fenway Park having spent the entirety of his six-year career in the American League East.

If the Blue Jays add Sasaki, it’ll immediately improve their pitching staff. Toronto’s staff ranked 22nd with a 4.29 ERA last season, 24th in wins (74) and second in home runs allowed (208).. The Blue Jays also went 77-88 and missed the postseason, extending their drought without a single playoff victory to eight consecutive seasons.

The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers were among those informed that they are out on Sasaki, per Passan. So, while the Red Sox aren’t considered a candidate, Boston could see plenty of Sasaki’s rookie season, both at Fenway Park and in Toronto, this upcoming season.