Yankees Are Making Big Steps Toward Roki Sasaki

Yankees picked up Paul Goldschmidt on a no-brainer 1 year contract and now have been working it when it comes to Roki Sasaki too. Cashman is on fire.

The New York Yankees are putting on an offseason clinic, flexing their muscles in ways that should make every other MLB team nervous, and now they’re gunning for the crown jewel of international talent: Roki Sasaki. Yes, that Roki Sasaki—the Japanese phenom whose fastball is so electric, it probably needs its own passport.

Landing Sasaki would supercharge an already star-studded rotation, giving the Yankees an embarrassment of riches on the mound. Imagine Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Sasaki all sharing a clubhouse. That’s not a rotation; that’s a Hall of Fame exhibit in the making.

But here’s the twist: throwing buckets of cash won’t cut it this time. Thanks to MLB’s international signing rules, Sasaki can only receive money from each team’s international pool, so the Yankees can’t just flex their wallet. Instead, they’re flexing their charm and savvy—and boy, are they playing the game.

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees flew cross-country to Los Angeles on Thursday to meet with Sasaki in person. While Japanese players historically lean toward West Coast teams like the Dodgers and Padres, the Yankees have a few tricks up their pinstriped sleeves. For starters, they’ve got a rich history with Japanese stars. Remember Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP and beloved “Godzilla” of the Bronx? Or Masahiro Tanaka, who dominated for years and became a fan favorite?

Here’s where it gets even better: Tanaka himself is reportedly part of the Yankees’ pitch. As a legend in both Japan and New York, he’s a perfect ambassador to convince Sasaki that Yankee Stadium is where dreams—and championships—come true. Oh, and rumor has it Sasaki is a big fan of Tanaka, so this move could be the ultimate ace up the Yankees’ sleeve.

Sure, the Mets, Dodgers, and Padres are all in the mix, but let’s face it—the Yankees are on a mission to own the offseason and leave the competition eating their dust. With Sasaki in their sights, the Bombers are showing the world that they’re not just contenders; they’re dynasty-builders. And if they pull this off, the rest of MLB better watch out—because the Yankees are just getting started.