Report: Mets Committed Significant Resources to Scouting Roki Sasaki
In his article predicting contracts for the top 45 free agents, Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned that the Mets are among the teams that committed “significant resources” to scout Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki.
With the Chiba Lotte Marines missing the NPB playoffs, Bowden said that a decision will be made soon on whether or not the 22-year-old will be posted. According to Bowden, the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks are also invested in scouting Sasaki. Since he is under the age of 25, Sasaki can only sign a minor-league contract in the States.
Sasaki, who boasts a triple-digit fastball that has topped out at 103 MPH, dominated his competition again in 2024. However, he missed two months due to an arm injury, a year after an oblique injury short-circuited his 2023 campaign, and he’s only eclipsed 100 innings twice in his career. All told, Sasaki turned in a 2.35 ERA with 129 strikeouts against 32 walks and allowed just two homers in 111 innings.