Roki Sasaki is now the Chicago Cubs top target

31 comments

1. When I was in my thirties it didn't bother me for people to say wait till next year. Now I'm in my 70s and I don't want to wait till next year every year. Soto!!!

2. Dallas Kuechel says Sasaki already has a deal In place with the Dodgers . I would be shocked if He goes anywhere but LA

3. Dodgers then rest are hype.

4. i mean isn’t he like pretty much confirmed to be going to the dodgers tho

5. I gotta agree with Matt that Sasaki is and should be the number one target, although not to the exclusion of other needs (a cleanup power hitter and a true closer plus another setup guy, preferably). I don’t care if we’re out on Soto and Burns but we need to find others to fill those roles. I think we’ve got a fair chance of landing Sasaki, but if we don’t get him we need a backup plan, like a Fried.

6. A team that hasn't had a superstar since Sosa (2 seasons from Bryant doesn't count) pins it's offseason hopes on out-recruiting the Dodgers and everyone else. OK–and my retirement plan is to win the Lottery.

7. Preach it brother

8. Chicago doesn't need to be champions every year, for many reasons – we're a proud fandom steeped in tradition – there are players I've never watched and I know them. Bears, Bulls, Cubs – Sox who; should be competant, maybe an injury takes us out, ooh a few games short, or if we win we're in….. that should be us, however, well the current state of things speak for themselves

9. Good luck getting him to sign, Dodgers or perhaps the Padres will get him

10. Theo and Jed made a good sales presentation to get Jon Lester to sign with the Cubs. Much as you guys noted, Sasaki could be the toast of Chicago, and the difference maker to put the Cub back into contention. That was the pitch to Lester as well.

11. One thing is the cubs dp a 5 man rotation and dodgers are going to a 6 man rotation. Sasaki is used to being in a 6 man rotation and hasn't thrown over 200 innings before in a season so that maybe a concern in terms of his arm longevity. So cubs may switch to a 6 man if they do get him but who knows, just saying is a big draw to be with the dodgers. However I saw something that he may want to go to a smaller market team than the dodgers so we'll see

12. I don't see the Cubs getting him. Wishful thinking.

13. Can he hit?

14. What about the Mets with Senga or the Mariners Ichiro's team? They should be thought of too as teams in the mix. Also the Angels didn't really have a direct link to a Japanese player, but reeled in Ohtani.

15. No chance

16. Fits in financially is a perfect way to say it

17. Hoyer probably thinks he can sign him comparable to Shota

18. They had a great starting pitching lineup last year. Unfortunately it’s not enough

19. I know you guys are not financial gurus but the estimated revenues from the team alone make it impossible for Ricketts to be losing money. On Average since 2019 (excluding 2020) Cubs team revenues on average have been about 425 million. That's not including Wrigleyville, Marquee, new draft kings sports betting building, etc. Now Ricketts family keep everything privately owned so financials are not public. However valuations can still be made such as Forbes valuation of the Cubs at over 4 billion dollars which is large enough to be on the S&P 500…. So given the fact that Revenues are at least 425-450 million a year & its known from publically listed teams such as the Braves that a teams payroll makes up 60-70% of a teams yearly expenses. We can infer that a 250 million dollar budget is more than affordable given the 450 million in projected revenue for 2025 because that 250 million is less than 60% of Revenues from the team ALONE.. (Tens of millions More if they make the postseason) Ricketts uses this team to pay off his debts, bad investments & loans, plus he knows he doesn't have to spend more or change anything for that matter. He'll just keep putting profits into real estate around the park & improvements on the stadium & maybe even another sports team. (Tried to buy Chelsea football club in England for 4 billion but offer was rejected & sold to someone else for 4.6 billion)

20. Getting Sasaki would probably give us 83 wins again.

21. Sam normally I agree with you but to pull some guy from Japan and make him your ace just isn’t good for culture. Chicago sports fans/ analysts don’t get that.

22. If I’m to be completely honest, the pitch should be, if he even cares, that he is going to be just another guy on those other two. He’s going to be the star on the cubs. Honestly, how do you compete with Ohtani Freddie Freeman, and everybody that they have, the Padres have cease and Darvish, I don’t know if he doesn’t want to be outshined by other people well then his choice is the Cubs.

23. Sasaki won't be as cheap as they make it seem. Obviously, Dodgers will be going after him hard. Max Fried would be massive for the Cubs

24. Freddie Freeman was the Dodgers best player last year; just look at the world series

25. Meh, sasaki has upside, but I don't think he's going to be the reason a team wins the World Series next year…Corbin Burnes can definitely do that

26. He isnt coming to the Cubs.

27. Sam it used to be Japanese players wouldn't play much with other stars from Japan because they didn't want to be in the shadows of others. Sasaki going to the Dodgers would certainly change that. But Yamamoto dis so I dunno.

28. Don't know anything about this guy, if the guys think he's that good, let's try to get him.

29. so it's gonna be another offseason failure

30. The Oakland Cubs. Jed and Tom approve.

31. I’m fine with Cody opting back in because there is no guarantee they would’ve spent that money on the roster