Boston Red Sox management has made some notable additions in the offseason, but is still keeping an eye on the status of an international star for the next MLB. With the intensity of the names being bandied about, the ambition to put together a strong team is getting stronger.
The Red Sox have made a high-profile signing, bringing in Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. They also signed former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler to a big contract. However, the situation of a Japanese star is keeping the Boston franchise on edge.
He is Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old pitcher who is wanted by nearly every team in the league. The Red Sox are another of the organizations that have their eye on him, to increase the quality of the team that features center fielder Jarren Duran. Sasaki was released by the Chiba Lotte Marines as an MLB free agent a few days ago.
Red Sox provide update on Sasaki negotiations
Although Boston was one of the teams that admitted interest in Sasaki, the latest information on the subject is that the Red Sox have not confirmed a meeting for the Japanese player, according to the Boston Globe.
“At this point, we don’t have a meeting scheduled, but I don’t know if that’s final,” Red Sox manager Craig Breslow concluded. “Obviously, we’ve been engaged and would like the opportunity to be involved in the process, and we look forward to the opportunity to do that,” the Boston franchise executive said.
How many teams did Sasaki meet with?
Sasaki’s future in the MLB is still up in the air. So far, the Japanese star has met with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. He is expected to sign with a team between now and the start of the international signing period on January 15.