I have been thinking about this from the Guardians’ perspective (as I always do, I can’t help it, sorry). Their front office does not seem like they would sacrifice their entire international signing class to go all-in on one player, no matter how much of a sure thing he might be. They tend to hedge their bets. Plus the issue of any (improper) handshake deals they’d be reneging on.
I think that would be foolish! But it seems like the way they operate.
Okay, I'm being an overly-optimistic homer... but not caring about market size or Japanese players, and, to pull my favorite part of the quote: "I believe Roki is also very interested in the pitching development and how a team is going to help him get better, both in the near future and over the course of his career." Does that not sound like the Milwaukee Brewers could ACTUALLY be in play here? Is there a team with a better recent record of developing pitchers? I'm getting too excited... but in my defense, the Brewers have never - literally NEVER, in over 50 years as a franchise - been in on a major free agent. They just let a fabulous shortstop walk! They're never in it... yet I'm going to let these little butterflies in my tummy flap away!
CLE should definitely be on Sasaki’s list, whether or not he’s on theirs. Unless he talked to Ichiro and Ichiro told him “If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."
Cleveland and Tampa are elite pitching labs with competent front offices, ownership aside. I guess I could see Tampa being on the list because of the home field situation, but that’s not their org’s fault and that doesn’t seem to be a priority for Roki.
Not if his priority is truly his development and org competency. But if he does privately care about location, then maybe he won’t consider Tampa for reasons that aren’t the org’s fault
"Oakland is a safe bet" - As one of the many Oakland Ballers fan-owners, I would love to see Sasaki at Raimondi Park and in the Pioneer League! But assuming you meant the MLB* Athletics team that plans to play in West Sacramento....that probably is a safe bet.
‘’The Giants still lead the league in finishing second on big-time free agents, but the Blue Jays are starting to give them a run for their (unspent) money’
ttruer words were never spoken
and as we are here on the topic of Sasaki, the Giants can now add to their ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride’ rep
noticed that while current players were told not to attend the meetings with Wolfe and Sasaki, there was nothing about former players, especially if they are also the director of ops - so maybe Buster Posey leading the Giants team will spark some interest from Sasaki, having a sure HOF guy as your leader?
I have been thinking about this from the Guardians’ perspective (as I always do, I can’t help it, sorry). Their front office does not seem like they would sacrifice their entire international signing class to go all-in on one player, no matter how much of a sure thing he might be. They tend to hedge their bets. Plus the issue of any (improper) handshake deals they’d be reneging on.
I think that would be foolish! But it seems like the way they operate.
Seems a pretty safe guess that the Angels are radioactive given how badly they botched Shohei.
Okay, I'm being an overly-optimistic homer... but not caring about market size or Japanese players, and, to pull my favorite part of the quote: "I believe Roki is also very interested in the pitching development and how a team is going to help him get better, both in the near future and over the course of his career." Does that not sound like the Milwaukee Brewers could ACTUALLY be in play here? Is there a team with a better recent record of developing pitchers? I'm getting too excited... but in my defense, the Brewers have never - literally NEVER, in over 50 years as a franchise - been in on a major free agent. They just let a fabulous shortstop walk! They're never in it... yet I'm going to let these little butterflies in my tummy flap away!
Rest of list: Miami, KC, CLE, Angels of XXXX, Tampa.
CLE develops pitchers and KC is trying to really build a team. I really need the full list!!!
CLE should definitely be on Sasaki’s list, whether or not he’s on theirs. Unless he talked to Ichiro and Ichiro told him “If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."
No way. The Rays were just voted by their peers to have one of the best overall FO in pro sports.
Cleveland and Tampa are elite pitching labs with competent front offices, ownership aside. I guess I could see Tampa being on the list because of the home field situation, but that’s not their org’s fault and that doesn’t seem to be a priority for Roki.
They say he's open to a small market but met with nothing but big market teams and SD.
I need the full list.
The full list!!!
I'm guessing Marlins, Rockies, and White Sox are locks, but after that... It's just bananas for anyone else to not bother!
Marlins!!! Yes
Beat me to it on the Marlins.
Great minds think alike!
The list of teams who didn't try for Sasaki is the baseball version of the Panama Papers.
Thank u
Rays are on the "not interested" list for sure.
They should be on HIS list if he is truthful about his criteria
Not if his priority is truly his development and org competency. But if he does privately care about location, then maybe he won’t consider Tampa for reasons that aren’t the org’s fault
"Oakland is a safe bet" - As one of the many Oakland Ballers fan-owners, I would love to see Sasaki at Raimondi Park and in the Pioneer League! But assuming you meant the MLB* Athletics team that plans to play in West Sacramento....that probably is a safe bet.
Could the Toronto Blue Jays be one of the undesirable 10 teams?
love this, trolling San Francisco and now Toronto
‘’The Giants still lead the league in finishing second on big-time free agents, but the Blue Jays are starting to give them a run for their (unspent) money’
ttruer words were never spoken
and as we are here on the topic of Sasaki, the Giants can now add to their ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride’ rep
noticed that while current players were told not to attend the meetings with Wolfe and Sasaki, there was nothing about former players, especially if they are also the director of ops - so maybe Buster Posey leading the Giants team will spark some interest from Sasaki, having a sure HOF guy as your leader?
Hard for me to see why Sasaki or Wolfe would reveal the names of the Terrible Ten. What would they get out of it? Only make certain organizations mad.
On another note, the Angels going after Alonso ... could that be another Hamilton or Rendon deal in the making? Just wondering ...
Although I gave up my long-held season tickets two years ago I'm sad nobody discusses Boston, even to mention them as a team in disarray.
Apparently they are not only in disarray, they are completely irrelevant.
So. Sad.