An interesting new report from an unexpected source may explain why the New York Mets and Yankees lost Roki Sasaki and other star Japanese players to the Los Angeles Dodgers the last two years.
There were many gifted MLB veterans available in free agency during the offseason. A ton of focus was on where superstar outfielder Juan Soto would sign. But high-impact players like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Pete Alonso were the focus of many MLB rumors and pursuits.
However, despite never playing in the league, Japanese prospect Roki Sasaki garnered, arguably, the most interest this offseason. Due to his contract limitations after being designated as an international free agent, every team in the league had a chance of signing him. But when push came to shove, the league’s wealthiest clubs like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers were the most serious contenders.
Yet, just like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year, the young pitcher chose to take his talents to the Dodgers. Many have assumed that playing on a World Series contender, joining a roster with two other Japanese stars, and the proximity to Japan were key factors in Sasaki’s decision. However, countryman Kodai Senga believes the weather in LA compared to New York played just as big a role.
Did Roki Sasaki pass on joining the New York Mets or Yankees because of the weather in NYC?
“Kodai Senga said he didn’t talk to Roki Sasaki during his recruitment process (they have the same agent). He said he thinks the weather in LA is a big factor for Japanese players — and a reason why the Mets haven’t added another top Japanese FA,” the New York Mets ace told media on Tuesday (via Jorge Castillo).
Coming from a Japanese player, Senga’s point does hold a lot of weight. The Mets and Yankees offer competing on famous franchises in one of the most well-known cities on the planet. And, New York’s climate isn’t that different from Japan’s. But the draw of Southern California has reeled in celebrities for generations, and it seems it is similarly attractive to baseball players as well.
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