Rival Red Sox named finalist for Roki Sasaki

Several finalists in the ongoing Roki Sasaki free agency contest have emerged, including a division rival in the Boston Red Sox.

Sasaki, the biggest international free agent this offseason, has drawn interest from teams across MLB. Red Sox director of baseball Craig Breslow traveled to Japan late last season to see the 23-year-old perform live at NPB. Yet when looking at the options offered by big league clubs, Sasaki underwent a process of elimination, leaving three options remaining.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams vying to sign Sasaki before his assignment window closes on Jan. 23, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Sasaki is expected to make a decision as early as this week and officially join a club.

Toronto has the most incentive to sign Sasaki, given that its star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is approaching free agency next offseason, unless the two sides agree on a long-term extension. Guerrero, a four-time All-Star, enters his age-26 season as an established slugger, ready to consider a handful of options if teams get the chance to talk to him next offseason, including the Red Sox. Boston missed out on Juan Soto this offseason after extending an offer reportedly in the $700 million range, and Guerrero fills a few needs. He’s a right-handed hitter, capable of crushing 30-40 homers each year and hitting .456 at Fenway Park after spending his entire six-year career in the American League East.

If the Blue Jays add Sasaki, it will immediately improve their pitching staff. Toronto’s staff ranked 22nd with a 4.29 ERA last season, 24th in wins (74) and second in home runs allowed (208). The Blue Jays also went 77-88 and missed the playoffs, extending their drought without a single postseason victory. eight consecutive seasons.

The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers were among those informed they were on Sasaki, according to Passan. So even if the Red Sox aren’t considered contenders, Boston could see much of Sasaki’s rookie season, both at Fenway Park and in Toronto, this upcoming season.