Reports have confirmed the Toronto Blue Jays are very interested in signing Roki Sasaki if the NPB allows him to become an MLB free agent as draws comparisons to Shohei Ohtani.
The Blue Jays have been open about how they are looking to improve their starting pitcher rotation even though their bullpen seems to be a priority this off-season as their starters struggled in 2024 as well.
Blue Jays interest in signing Roki Sasaki if he becomes a free agent
Sasaki is a Japanese pitcher that has been dominating the NPB at the young age of 23 years old and has drawn a lot of comparisons to Shohei Ohtani who is arguably the best player in the majors right now.
According to @bnicholsonsmith, Blue Jays would show “serious interest” in Roki Sasaki if he becomes available
He would absolutely inject life in to this Blue Jays franchise 🤞#GretaYYZ pic.twitter.com/gXSIF0yHKq
— Blue Jays Today (@TodayJays) November 6, 2024
This would be an incredible move for the Blue Jays but the Blue Jays along with the rest of the MLB will have to see if Sasaki ends up getting permission from the NPB to enter the MLB free agency since he is still under contract.
More likely, though still a longshot, is Sasaki, a player the Blue Jays have liked for a while. Multiple senior club executives including Atkins have scouted Sasaki in person over the years, but when asked about the right-hander, the GM sidestepped the question. -Nicholson-Smith.
If Sasaki gets permission to enter free agency, the Blue Jays will surely not be the only team going after him as he has shown that he can definitely be a top tier MLB pitcher.
