Part 5/8:
The conversation about pitching heats up with the posting of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to free agency boards. Sasaki, only 23 years old, comes with significant potential and would require teams to use their international pool money for signing him. His expected contract would fall into league minimum territory, making him an attractive target for various teams, including the Mets.
Mets' management has indicated their interest in Sasaki, although his agent has conveyed that he may prefer a smaller-market team due to past pressures from Japanese media. With connections to other clubs bearing a Japanese presence, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the competition to sign Sasaki is steeper than one might expect.