The New York Mets have had an eventful offseason, making several key moves to strengthen their roster. Most notably, they secured a historic deal for Juan Soto, bolstering their already potent lineup. Additionally, they addressed their pitching needs by signing three significant players: Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, and bringing back Sean Manaea. Despite these upgrades, the Mets still face uncertainty in their pitching rotation. There are lingering concerns about Kodai Senga’s ability to stay healthy over the course of an entire season, as well as the risk factors surrounding the other recent signings.
Given these uncertainties, the Mets are keen on adding another elite arm to the rotation, and Japanese star Roki Sasaki could be the perfect fit. Sasaki, who has posted a stellar 2.10 ERA in four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has the potential to be a game-changer. His agent, Joel Wolfe, has expressed that Sasaki is impressed with the Mets’ pitching development under Jeremy Hefner, which could make the team an appealing option.
While the Mets are not considered the frontrunners for Sasaki—those honors likely go to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres—they remain a strong contender for his services. Wolfe recently clarified that market size is not a major factor in Sasaki’s decision, which works in the Mets’ favor, as they are not considered a “big-market” team like the Dodgers or Yankees. Sasaki is reportedly evaluating offers from multiple teams, with 20 clubs having reached out to his representatives. However, Sasaki has opted to keep meetings free of player involvement, focusing solely on discussions with front offices.
At present, Sasaki is back in Japan, working through his decision process, and a final choice is expected between January 15 and 23. Sasaki has made it clear that he is driven to be the best and will prioritize teams with strong pitching development programs. This is a key factor that the Mets can offer, with their upgraded staff and commitment to player development. While the Mets may not be the favorites, they are putting forth significant effort to secure the services of one of the most talented pitchers on the market.