The Chicago Cubs are in talks with Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, according to a league source. The team’s interest is driven by their strong presence in Japan and successful track record of onboarding players from Nippon Professional Baseball.
Sasaki, 23, has immense talent but limited contract expectations. His representation includes Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman agency, which previously negotiated deals for Yu Darvish and Seiya Suzuki.
The Cubs have a history of helping Japanese players adjust to the MLB game, as seen in Shota Imanaga’s successful rookie season with the team. The club has already submitted its introductory materials for Sasaki’s review, with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer citing positive experiences with other Japanese players in Chicago.
Sasaki is expected to enter the posting system next year, which will limit his contract options to the international bonus pool. Despite this, he has made it clear that money is not his top priority. The Cubs’ projected allotment for the upcoming signing period is nearly $6.3 million, positioning them as a mid-pack contender.
The meeting between Sasaki and the Cubs comes after reports of a meeting in Los Angeles were first mentioned by Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score. While the Cubs are not currently viewed as the front-runner for Sasaki’s services, their Japanese credibility and experience make them an attractive option.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6010120/2024/12/20/cubs-roki-sasaki-meeting