The Boston Red Sox are entering the offseason with a pressing need to bolster their starting rotation, particularly after Nick Pivetta’s departure and Lucas Giolito’s return from a season-long injury. While the team is likely exploring high-profile free-agent options and potential trades, there’s an intriguing, cost-effective alternative on the market: Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.
Sasaki, 23, has established himself as a dominant force in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), delivering an impressive 2.35 ERA, 1.036 WHIP, and 10.5 K/9 across 18 appearances (111 innings) for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2024. His consistent excellence has positioned him as a sought-after international free agent this offseason. Unlike pitchers such as Max Fried or Corbin Burnes, who will command hefty contracts in free agency, Sasaki represents a more affordable option. His contract is expected to fall under the international signing bonus pool, resembling the structure of a minor-league deal rather than the blockbuster agreements reserved for MLB stars.
This financial aspect levels the playing field for teams competing for Sasaki’s services, making him an accessible target for organizations like the Red Sox. Baseball America’s Ben Badler ranks Boston as the seventh-most-likely team to land the Japanese phenom, highlighting the team’s prior success with Japanese players, including current outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida.
“The Red Sox have history with Japanese players,” Badler noted, “and on a team that had only one starter with an ERA under 4.00 in 2024, Sasaki would stand out in a Red Sox rotation more than he might on teams like the Dodgers or Padres that have better starting pitchers.”
The Red Sox face stiff competition, with the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers ranked ahead of them on Badler’s list of potential landing spots. However, Boston’s appeal could strengthen significantly if the team makes a major acquisition, such as trading for Juan Soto, which would signal a commitment to building a competitive roster. Such a move might increase Sasaki’s interest in joining the Red Sox, potentially tipping the scales in their favor.
Given Boston’s recent struggles in the rotation, adding a pitcher of Sasaki’s caliber would be a transformative move. His combination of talent, affordability, and international appeal makes him an ideal candidate to address the team’s pitching woes without exhausting financial resources. Moreover, Sasaki’s potential as a young, high-impact starter could provide the Red Sox with long-term stability and a cornerstone to build around in their rotation.
While high-profile free agents like Fried and Burnes remain enticing targets, Sasaki’s affordability and upside make him a compelling alternative for Boston. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Red Sox can secure this international talent and use him as a catalyst for their rotation’s resurgence in 2025.
