After weeks of speculation and widespread rumors, the Chicago White Sox traded All-Star left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, and teams like the Philadelphia Phillies will now have to adjust their offseason plans and look elsewhere for starting pitching in a rapidly shrinking free agent market. With names like Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki still unsigned, the Phillies could still add a significant piece to their rotation this winter.
With interested teams making a hard pivot to Burnes, it remains to be seen how much direct discussion the Phillies have had with the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner. But comments from Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered little doubt that the team is fully invested in trying to sign Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese phenom who was posted by his NPB ball club on Monday. Speaking to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Dombrowski shed some light on where the Phillies currently stand on signing the coveted right-hander.
“We’re just like everybody else, we’re very interested,” Dombrowski said, per Zolecki. “My understanding is they are going to meet (internally) first. They know everybody is interested. Then, they’ll let some clubs know they’re still involved in the process. We’re prepared to make a presentation. Our people have been working on it for an extended time. But they have to tell us that you’re one of the so-many clubs that he’s willing to go to."
But the Phillies are far from alone in their pursuit of Sasaki, with a recent report from Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic indicating that the Phillies are one of seven teams viewed as legit candidates to land Sasaki when the 2025 international signing period opens up on Jan. 15. With speculation rampant that Sasaki could sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, an NL East rival may have a leg up on the Phillies when it comes to one reported selling point.
MLB insider drops hint about Roki Sasaki that would be horrible for the Phillies
Fresh off signing superstar outfielder Juan Soto to an MLB recording-smashing $765 million, 15-year contract, the emboldened New York Mets could be looking to walk away with the two biggest prizes in free agency this offseason. Known to be one of the seven teams listed in Sammon and Rosenthal's recent report, another factor has emerged that could push the Mets past the Phillies in the Sasaki sweepstakes.
Former MLB general mangerJim Bowden (now of The Athletic) recently detailed some of the factors that Sasaki and his representatives are searching for as they consider the best fit for Sasaki, both financially and and behind the scenes. Bowden cites the rival Mets as one potential landing spot that can offer Sasaki the kind of endorsements and pitching development the young hurler is seeking this winter.
"Sasaki needs pitching development, which does make the Dodgers a fit, but it also gives advantages to teams such as the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Mets and Atlanta Braves, who all have strong pitching development programs," offered Bowden.
Roki Sasaki's agency is "very high" on Jeremy Hefner's ability to develop pitching, per @JimBowdenGM
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 10, 2024
Sasaki is said to be valuing endorsement opportunities, winning, and pitching development as he decides which team to play for, per Bowden pic.twitter.com/7h6dO8BGJd
There's little doubt that foreign-born pitchers often face an adjustment to MLB hitters, so it comes as little surprise that Sasaki will want to pitch for a team with a strong reputation for pitching development. If Sasaki and his representatives view Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner's recent track record of success as a motivation to sign on the East Coast, the Phillies could find themselves on the outside looking in to sign the Japanese import in January.