ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays had “great” talks about the appealing things they could offer Roki Sasaki, the Japanese pitcher who is the most prized prospect on the international free-agent market.

Rōki Sasaki is a highly talented Japanese pitcher, known for his blazing fastball and devastating slider. He gained major attention in 2022 after throwing a perfect game with 19 strikeouts. Sasaki is regarded as one of Japan's top pitching prospects and has attracted MLB interest.

Sasaki opened his free agency window on Dec. 9, meaning he only has 45 days – until January 23 – to make a signing decision, or he would be forced to play another year with the Chiba Lotte ...

The Dodgers cemented their status as the preferred MLB destination for NPB stars and transformed their rotation into a Mount Rushmore of Japanese pitching luminaries by winning the Rōki Sasaki sweepstakes.

With just two days before the window to sign him opens, the field for star Japanese right-hander Rōki Sasaki has narrowed - setting up a likely battle between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles ...

Despite being told they were out of the Rōki Sasaki sweepstakes, the New York Mets still made a big splash in the international free-agent market as soon as the signing period opened. On ...

The New York Mets, like many other teams, made a run at Japanese superstar Rōki Sasaki. However ... He has also spent time covering the Green Bay Packers as well as college sports in the SEC.

Jung and Carter were both major contributors during the 2023 World Series run, but both spent significant time on the injured list last season.

Young Japanese flamethrower Roki Sasaki said on Instagram that he's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving the defending World Series champions even more star power entering 2025.

Sasaki's nickname is a tribute to legendary Japanese starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was known as the "Monster of the Heisei," referring to different eras of the Japanese calendar. The 23-year-old lost both his father and grandfather during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Cy Young Awards were announced in November, and Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal are great. But the next Cy Young Award winner could be on his way. That's because Roki Sasaki, the Monster of the Reiwa, is