As the deadline for Roki Sasaki to sign with an MLB team nears (the deadline is Jan. 23), multiple reports indicate that the Yankees are not only still in the mix, but confident in their chances of at least having a realistic shot to land the pitching phenom from Japan.
Sasaki is unquestionably the most coveted pitcher remaining on the market, being he is just 23 years old and boasts a devastating arsenal that includes a 100 mph fastball and lethal sinker. As the deadline nears, Chris McMonigle can’t help but feel excitement that the Yanks could make the big splash and further fortify an already top-tier pitching staff.
“I’m starting to get hyped up,” C-Mac said. “I’m gonna let my hopes up in real fear of them getting let down. I’m starting to get excited about Roki Sasaki being a Yankee.”
The Padres are considered another top potential target, but as the ownership family feuds over control of the team in the wake of Peter Seidler’s death, C-Mac sees a window for the Yankees to pounce.
“It’s getting ugly in San Diego with Peter Seidler’s wife suing Pete’s two brothers for control of the team...it’s getting kind of ugly there inside ownership,” C-Mac said. “I would think the Dodgers is a place where the Japanese media would surround you every day with Ohtani and Yamamoto being there...but Matsui handled it fine...I’m starting to think, if it’s Padres and Yankees, the Padres are kind of a mess right now.”
C-Mac sees the Yanks as an attractive destination for a young pitcher, and even though recent big-name Japanese stars seems to favour the Pacific coast, Sasaki’s reported issues with the media in Japan could help the Yanks and help them turn their offseason into a great one.
“The Yankee pitching lab, [Matt] Blake is one of the better pitching coaches in the sport,” C-Mac said. “The Yankees pitching department and what they’ve done with the bullpen...they turned Clay Holmes into a guy who is gonna be in the Mets rotation...Michael King is gonna be an ace in San Diego.
“I’m starting to get excited. If Brian Cashman does that...now we’re talking.”