The next phenom from Japan, said to be a better, more polished pitcher than Shohei Ohtani…he’s hitting the market for 2025 in a shocking development nobody really saw coming. The reason it’s shocking is because there’s huge penalty fees that screw the player and everything else when it comes to eligilbility. For example, if Roki waited a few more years, he could’ve came to Major League Baseball as a UFA – instead, he’ll have some ‘restriction’ as an international player, and only be subject to the international bonus pool, so let’s see…can the Cincinnati Reds land him?
12/11/24 Update
This morning Reds beat reporter Mark Sheldon stated that Nick Krall had every intention to speak to Roki Sasaki and see what’s good. I had a separate person state that the Reds had a ton of “Handshake” deals with many prospects for the 2025 international class already but mentioned that there should still be plenty of money leftover, still. The Reds can land Roki if they woo him with their presentation. Roki’s agent Joel Wolfe stated he wanted clubs to meet with him at a central location. Krall said, “He’s a player we scouted in Japan and we’d love to have him,” in typical Krall fashion. Don’t say too much now, Nick!
International Bonus Pool
It’s well known that Japanese players are very typically structured, and tend not to care about money. They just want to compete with the best of them. It’s honestly such an admirable trait from their culture, one that I’m jealous of. And it’s also why I think the Reds can potentially land Roki Sasaki if they seek his services. So let’s get to the international bonus pool…
The Reds are one of 8 teams with the most money to offer a player for 2025, per this Baseball America article and they will definitely have some competition. Now, if you read above, you note that I mention it is very rare that a Japanese player will be gung-ho about money, so does this really matter? I think so. And if it didn’t, Roki Sasaki would’ve already signed with a team, because he can up through late December on 2024’s pool. The other 7 teams joining us are:
- Detroit Tigers
- Miami Marlins
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Minnesota Twins
- Oakland Athletics
- Seattle Mariners
- Tampa Bay Rays
Now, of these other 7, I’d say from a competitivity aspect, and strictly going off Geographical location, the Seattle Mariners are really the only team that would “worry” me when it comes to a. having the money and b. having the culture that a Japanese player would seek…somewhere other than the Reds. The other cities have never really had a Japanese legend play for them like Irchiro Suzuki and they aren’t located close(r) to Japan. Also, when it comes to the Mariners, they churn young pitching out like crazy. That’s said to be a major factor for Roki Sasaki’s camp, as it should be.
Why would he pick the Reds?
I’d pitch it simple – the oldest franchise in baseball NEEDS a Japanese icon. The only other Japanese player we’ve ever, in the franchises history that is, has had…was Shogo Akiyama. We all know how that went – total disaster. You can blame covid, his age, whatever…but it was a total disaster. Japan is a culture of conservatism history, I think utilizing the ‘first MLB team’ is genuinely a major selling point. In MLB’s history, the oldest team has never had a positive producing MLB player from Japan…that’s wild. Roki Sasaki should yearn to change that.
When it comes to development, look no further than the Reds, too. We’ve pumped out a TON of arms, we just usually can’t keep them due to monetary reasons. You look at Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Johnny Cueto, Luis Castillo, there’s been a ton of guys to come through the Reds organization to go on and have very fruitful careers. Roki Sasaki could be the next of them.
The Reds could genuinely offer all $7M of their bonus allocation and entirely win the International year. They should be prepared to do that, regardless, just with the chances of him coming to Cincinnati. We’ve spent $5M a year on absolute garbage before from the international market, they should be ready to offer every single cent to Roki’s camp to get him to come here.
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It’s about to get cold. Cop you a beanie. The Nati beanie.
Why do I want Roki so bad?
Nevermind the fact that I’m longing for a positive producing Japanese player for once in our franchises’ history, this dude is THE REAL DEAL. His arsenal is insane, especially for a 23 year old. He’s taller for a typical Japanese player – 6’4″ – and he throws absolute gas mixed in with a devestating split finger (hey, remember SPLITCINNATI? Wassup Fernando Cruz?!) and has been working to polish his slider as he anticipated coming to MLB. He’s predominantly a two pitch guy, but he’s throwing triple digits and a splitter – there’s nothing to worry about. Just watch this gas…and don’t forget, his splitter is dubbed as “May be the best splitter in the world…“
Are you not sold yet? Change your profile pic to Roki Sasaki as a Cincinnati Reds player and tell your grandma to start sending emails to his camp about how great Cincinnati is. We need this guy in Cincinnati, y’all. Gamechanger. Oh, and Bob, if you actually put effort into getting Roki here, I’ll start the GoFundMe to pay for his translator.
