The Chicago Cubs were one of several MLB teams that had scouts in attendance to watch 22-year-old Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki pitch last week in the NPB and that included Jed Hoyer being there in person as well.
Here’s the thing, half the league sent out scouts to watch Sasaki’s latest start for the Chiba Lotte Marines, but if there’s one team that could theoretically give the Los Angeles Dodgers a challenge in signing the star pitcher it might just be the Cubs. And well, Hoyer was there to obviously do his own due diligence, but probably also to show Sasaki that they’re serious about wanting him once he’s available to sign with an MLB team.
These trips to Japan have become somewhat common for Hoyer in the past few years and in a recent interview on 670 The Score the Cubs president said he’s taken multiple trips to Japan already this year.
Back in April, the Cubs were one of five teams that had scouts in attendance for one of Sasaki’s best starts in 2024.
Do I think Sasaki is going to end up anywhere other than the Dodgers? No, but I’m glad the Cubs aren’t just giving up on that front. Yet, while all eyes might be on Sasaki, you’d have to think that Hoyer has gone to Japan to look at other talented players who will also be available via free agency.
With the recent success of Seiya Suzuki and Shōta Imanaga the Cubs can definitely present a strong case to the best players in Japan to come to Chicago and transition into a new league. We’ll know more names as we get closer to the winter, but don’t be surprised if the Cubs are able to once again attract a top free agent from Japan.
That being said, Sasaki will be the big-name player out there once he’s allowed to be posted. He’ll turn 23-years-old in November and despite having a “down season” the right-hander has still been stellar this year, posting a 2.25 ERA with 98 strikeouts and has only allowed two home runs in 84 innings in 14 starts.
Remember, last September Hoyer was spotted in Japan scouting Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he was also there to see Imanaga, who the Cubs eventually inked to a long-term contract in January. So hey, casting a wider net and not just focusing on one guy in Japan could ultimately work out for Hoyer and the Cubs again.
