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Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and now the baseball world is on fire following the news that Japanese superstar pitcher Roki Sasaki would be drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. With that news, the 23-year-old flamethrower is poised to become one of the most sought-after free agents by every team this season.
Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the excitement surrounding Sasaki, including why this is such a unique and different free agency experience due to his age, the amount of money he may be leaving on the table by coming to the MLB so quickly and why he compares to Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes and Texas Rangers veteran Jacob deGrom.
Later in this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Castthe guys welcome NPB expert Yuri Karasawa to give his insight on Sasaki, including when the star pitcher first came onto everyone’s radar, why the Marines are drafting him so early in his career and which MLB teams already have a clear advantage to sign him. Jake and Jordan then go around the league looking at the new manager of the Miami Marlins, the Philadelphia Phillies shaking up their front office and Reggie Jackson leaving the Houston Astros.
(1:43) – What changed when Roki Sasaki was posted?
(17:29) – Yuri Karasawa joins the show
(22:17) – Why Sasaki is unique
(27:38) – A look at Sasaki’s 2024 season
(35:35) – Why are the Marines posting Sasaki?
(39:43) – Which MLB team has the advantage to sign him?
(46:48) – Around League Turbo mode
(52:38) – Phillies are shaking up their front office
(59:23) – One stupid question
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