The Chicago Cubs are making some serious moves this offseason! They’ve already made a splash by trading for Kyle Tucker, and now they’ve set their sights on another big prize: Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.
The Cubs have a history of helping Japanese players transition smoothly to the MLB. Shota Imanaga, who signed with the Cubs last year, quickly became one of the best pitchers in the league. And Seiya Suzuki, who joined the Cubs in 2022, has been a hitting machine, averaging .278 with 55 home runs and nearly 200 RBIs. The Cubs’ track record of success with Japanese players could be a major factor in luring Sasaki to the Windy City.
But that’s not the only reason why the Cubs are a perfect fit for Sasaki. They’ve also got a strong pitching infrastructure, led by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and manager Craig Counsell. Justin Steele has blossomed into an ace under their guidance, and other young pitchers like Tyson Miller, Porter Hodge, Javier Assad, and Jorge Lopez have also thrived in Chicago.
And here’s the kicker: the Yu Darvish connection. Sasaki has been vocal about his admiration for Darvish, calling him his mentor and role model. And guess what? Darvish had a stellar stint with the Cubs from 2018 to 2020, even finishing as the Cy Young runner-up in 2020. He’s spoken highly of his time in Chicago, and you can bet he’ll be putting in a good word for the Cubs if Sasaki is considering them.
The Cubs have a lot to offer Sasaki: a supportive environment, a history of success with Japanese players, a strong pitching infrastructure, and the influence of his idol, Yu Darvish. It’s a combination that could be hard to resist.
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are heating up, and the Cubs are right in the thick of it. Don’t be surprised if Sasaki chooses to bring his talents to Wrigleyville. It would be a major coup for the Cubs and a sign that they’re serious about building a championship contender.
