Yankees get unexpected vote of confidence in Roki Sasaki sweepstakes

It is believed Roki Sasaki will be making his decision on where he will sign in two weeks. His expanded market has included 20 MLB teams — with the New York Yankees among them — as fans await his historic arrival to the United States.

However, throughout the process, there's been much chatter suggesting the right-handed pitcher may prefer the west coast, much like so many of the recent Asian international signings like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ha-Seong Kim, and Hyeseong Kim.

While that still may be the case, Sasaki, whose market is not dependent on how much money a team can offer due to international free agency signing restrictions, welcomed meetings with teams regardless of geography, providing some hope that he'd spurn California (or, we guess, Seattle and Phoenix).

Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, has expressed open-mindedness with Sasaki. The Yankees, who know all too well about getting spurned by Japanese talent in recent years, had a lengthy meeting with Sasaki anyway because they believe their pitching program and stature in the AL can persuade the right-hander.

We'll see what happens ... but right now Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts it'll come down to the Padres and Yankees.

Yankees Rumors: Roki Sasaki buzz starting to favor New York unexpectedly

Brian Cashman already spent a ton of time attempting to recruit Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, only to get spurned by both in ridiculous fashion. Third time's a charm they say, so perhaps a more laid-back approach after a World Series appearance could help his case.

While the Dodgers and Padres remain appealing, the Yankees have re-tooled rather aggressively (with more moves likely on the way) while the rest of the American League has either gotten worse or remained the same. Losing Juan Soto will have ripple effects regardless of the corresponding moves that were made, but the Yankees didn't necessarily get worse after their pennant-winning season.

Meanwhile, their direct competitors in the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals have either taken steps back or haven't done enough to foster a greater debate about true championship contention.

Conventional wisdom suggests Sasaki will do what's expected, sign with the Dodgers, and make every non-LA fan's life a living hell. But Bowden's insight provides a glimmer of hope over these next two weeks that Sasaki could follow a different, trailblazing path, especially if he truly wants to make a one-of-a-kind mark on Major League Baseball.