Roki Sasaki is now the Chicago Cubs top target

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

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!!!

[@jann3443]

Same! When you're in your 70s there aren't that many "maybe next years" left! 😔

[@Yeldineyintun]

I mean, we got ours in 2016. If you’re in your 70s you vividly remember all those old timers who made it to their 90s without ever seeing the cubs win it all. I’m happy for the next decade at least 😂 I kid, by the way! I’d love Soto to come to wrigley

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

@Yeldineyintun I loved 2016 and I loved every member of that team. It would have been great if they could have won a world series while Harry Carey was still alive.

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

@Yeldineyintun I'd like to see the Cubs bring Joe maddon back in Sun capacity. I think he might be able to motivate this team we have now

[@Aetnaboy73]

I hear you, brother. I'm right up there with you, that's why I'm so upset with these 🤡.

[@G2mxrZ]

Dodgers and Padres have the edge. Sasaki is a game changer and would be the face of the Cubs should they be fortunate enough to sign him. I would be absolutely thrilled if he becomes a Cub!!! He would assume Mark Grace’s jersey number.

[@everetttauscher8377]

Thanks for the show guys! LET'S GO CUBS!!! ⚾️ ✌️💙🐻

[@BigLar56321]

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.

[@joanshortall7333]

Remember that Darvish was high on the Cubs when Imanaga was signing. If Padres are not in, Darvish may do the same thing this time

[@Youngstomata]

I really felt those feels Sam in that Fanduels ad

[@beokayian5378]

The Cubs always wait to see how the market develops. I wouldn't do that. They should make two signings FAST: Closer Tanner Scott. Catcher Kyle Higashioka. Having a catcher who can speak Japanese and Spanish can hopefully help with communication with pitchers. Once those two spots are filled, then we look for a couple of starters and the big bat. Sasaki is the top hope. I'm willing to trade the prospects for big trades for Garrett Crochet and if we can have an extension signing period for Vladimir Guerrero.

[@shaunstahl9773]

Totally agree about their wait and see. Can't stand it. This team has money. Let's knock that off and go after guys who can win a world Series.

[@Gnar_Dogg]

Without knowing what his preferences are the Dodgers and Padres even are likely clear favorites. LA has Ohtani and Yamamoto locked in for the next decade so Sasaki would have these guys with him throughout his entire 6 year stretch of team control. If the Dodgers get Sasaki plus whoever they add this off-season I'd argue it's likely the best team ever assembled in baseball history. Yes even better than those early Yankees teams.

[@Tony-q8r]

It's obvious that it would be the greatest MLB team ever assembled of all time but not many people would admit that except a few honest sports fans like you 👍

[@scottspence9178]

Fits in financially is a perfect way to say it

[@kevinkucera5338]

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.

[@rodneyelylesrealestate]

If Sasaki is cheap, why would he not pitch in LA for a championship team? Sam is right.

[@chrisgood-mj8kr]

I hate waiting for a winning season, but the cubs depleted their prospect pool during their last run and it left them dried out and facing rebuild. Dodgers consistently produce young talent and that's how they've stayed relevant. If it takes time for the cubs to grow a young core then I'm okay with that.

[@timad11]

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

[@shaunstahl9773]

Love Cody opting in. Was surprised but happy. I think we need a proven Starter now. Bullpen. And what's your thought of a true 3rd baseman.

[@timad11]

@ I would be fine if Paredes got traded. He does not seem to enjoy hitting at Wrigley Field at all. At some point they’re going to have to find a spot for Shaw.

[@KazeShikamaru]

I know how Sam feels. I stopped watching the Bears game after the first half.

[@jeffbartlett8565]

Preach it brother

[@uncle-ted]

I'd rather have Mr. Miyagi rather than Roki

[@HangingGarden606]

I'll believe it when he's singing Go Cubs Go. I don't see how a guy this ambitious would turn down a Dodgers offer to be part of a three-headed Japanese pitching hydra. He's a Wasserman client (same as Suzuki) and we have our own discount version of Ohtani/Yamamoto. I'm not sure how the Cubs popularity has shifted in Japan since signing Suzuki and Imanaga, but we have some massive assets working for us in Sasaki PR department.

[@timad11]

The Oakland Cubs. Jed and Tom approve.

[@wylelias]

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.

[@gregmatyas4272]

I thought Seattle as well, it would allow them to trade any of their other stud pitchers for the infield help they need. Cubs need to get this young man.

[@rixter719]

does jed feel like he can get the japanese players at a discount?

[@scottspence9178]

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

[@Aetnaboy73]

Maybe Seiya and Shota can talk him into coming here😂

[@sni6941]

Usually Japanese pitchers don’t go to a team that already has a Japanese star at the same position. But this Sasaki move is different. Why he wanted to come to US so eagerly this year??? Even sacrifice so much financially. There must one singular gigantic reason, and I can only think of playing with Ohtani for the WS.

[@plus790]

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.

[@kevinloeffler7909]

Another selling point the Dodgers can offer him is that they'll probably be in the playoffs every year during the course of his career.

[@WolfsDE]

If the Cubs are to get Roki Sasaki, I think it will be a big deal. You set up a rotation of Shota Imanaga, Roki Sasaki, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillion and one of the young guys. Of which I think is a damn good rotation. I don't know if we can out do the Dodgers and Padres. They both have advantages over us. Being on the West Coast, having players he admires and/or is close with. A team he grew up a fan of in the Dodgers. That gives them an advantage. I know the Cubs have to be in the running though. I am sure at least 20-25 teams are checking in on him because of how cheap he will be to get. How competitive it will be remains to be seen. I can understand being out on Juan Soto. 700 million is a hell of a lot to put out for one guy, of which ..we know it is going to take that kind of a contract to land him. If that contract doesn't work out because he gets hurt or forgets how to hit or whatever....that contract cripples the team for the next decade. It is a big risk to take. Yes, the chances of a World Series go up and we want that. I just don't see a position for him with the current options in the Outfield. Especially with Cody Bellinger opting in.

[@justinnoceda2115]

Ben brown 5th starter

[@WolfsDE]

@justinnoceda2115 I am fine with that, with Javier Assad or Wesneski or if Cade Horton were to win it. I just want to see someone who can be solid in that spot. They don't have to win the Cy Young and/or Rookie of the Year, but if they can come in, win 8-10 games, finish with a reasonable ERA, a solid strike out number and at least 150 IP....I would be happy to see that. Because that tells me that if the 5th starter is doing that, we probably have had a good season. Brown, Horton, Assad, Wesneski...I would be happy with any of them. So long as they produce decent numbers.

[@DavidRoberg-v8b]

Look at the distance for him to go home to Japan. Midwest versus West coast!

[@danielhoehne801]

If Sasaki has a ton of respect for Yu, that could help us. Wasn't it Yu that kind of hyped up the Cubs to Seiya?

[@tinman67tn]

Keep in mind that it's already been reported that Sasaki prefers West Coast.

[@josephhall657]

I would not sit and wait for a 1% chance. The right move is trade or sign a SP and target a lefty for the pen. When the time comes for him to post they are better off being set up to compete. You adjust the staff if he decides. But you have to be good first to even have him consider going off the west coast. Personally I would trade for Crochet and Roberts. Keep Smith, Ballestroes, Horton and Brown. Deal out Busch in it. Then target AJ Minter. I would go in thinking Brown and Horton battling for the 5 and loser goes to late relief. If Saski decides to come then both go into the pen.

[@therealdjway]

I hear all the talk about LA, but nobody knows what a competitor Sasaki is/will be. Perhaps he has the desire to play against Ohtani vs with him?

[@willthompson2779]

The only thing the Cubs may have over the dodgers is the ability to give sasaki the immediate ace and superstar of the team. He would be a centerpiece of the mlb and if he joins the dodgers he would be under Ohtani as shadow and a 2-3 pitcher 🤷‍♀️

[@MP-nz8nr]

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

[@rixter719]

What exactly is a roki sasaki?

[@mr.bohner6819]

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)

[@davidnorberte7799]

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.

[@sni6941]

If Cubs/Jed sign Sasaki, are you going to give him contract extension even he does not sign other high prized free agency??? Will you still going to replace him with a perfect GM whom I don’t think there is one out there?

[@shaunstahl9773]

Belly has nothing to do with Cubs saying we are not going after Soto. Sorry the Ricketts are cheap and are enjoy making profits on the loyal fans who fill Wrigley. Trying really hard not to be negative cause there are good pieces on this team but we need game changers as well. Love the Cubs and cant wait for 2025 but we need to try and make a splash. Good night greatest fans in the world.

[@reddevil5712]

Margot Robbie is now my top target

[@jimdecker4760]

If the Cubs get him he should start him as a #5 starter as you want the break him in to American baseball but limiting his innings

[@Tom-hc5iv]

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.

[@muthergoose4084]

Why on earth would this guy pass on a chance to play for the dodgers?

[@JohnDePewIII-tn6ui]

@@muthergoose4084 I've lived in Chicago and Los Angeles but the only Dodgers games I attended is when the Cubs came to town

[@gregmatyas4272]

Taxes

[@20marzboy]

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

[@RedneckOutdoorsman4life]

I am SERIOUS I dreamt last night that Jed Hoyer got fired 😂

[@shaunstahl9773]

Arent our Cubs one of the biggest market teams in Baseball. Please correct me if im wrong. Im not great with that stuff. If so, why are we not spending money to compete against the likes of Dodgers, Yankees, hell even Padres. Or heck at least dominate our division

[@jeffbartlett8565]

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

[@iamrangers8351]

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

[@gregmatyas4272]

He will be very cheap, relatively speaking. The most he can sign his initial contract for is $8m

[@iamrangers8351]

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

[@gregthegroove]

There’s no hope. There are days I hate being a Cub fan. I have a bad feeling about the “finances” of this FO for some reason. SMH

[@thehammondkid]

Dodgers Yankees Padres and Red Sox stand in the way

[@krishdasgupta7313]

He had some arm issues early in the Japanese season. I’d say he is a bit of a gamble.

[@krishdasgupta7313]

The list of injuries - torn muscle left torso, right arm tightness every 3 weeks, pitching discomfort in fore arm : list goes on. He would need time to stretch it out in the minors, after his early season arm issues this past year, he had trouble getting his fastball back into triple digits. Buyer beware.

[@giants4105]

@@krishdasgupta7313 Exactly. Why isn't anyone mentioning that he gets injured a lot?

[@nogodsnomasters666]

Can he hit?

[@everetttauscher8377]

This player's favorite team is the Dodgers player.

[@iamrangers8351]

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

[@user-lo1nz8wh7j]

Waste of time. Read what Dallas Keuchel who played with him in Japan said in the New York Post. Why would he come to a club who's owner is cheap and won't make the club first class? Dodgers with Ohtani and Yamamoto are the clear cut favorite. Padres with his role model Darvish and Matsui is second. Cubs don't have a legit shot.

[@jamespullos8027]

No chance

[@MindQuestTrivia-d3d]

This guy's not gonna make the league minimum.

[@Gnar_Dogg]

Yes he is. Due to IFA rules he can sign for a bonus but he will only make league minimum for the next 3 years until he hits arbitration.

[@MindQuestTrivia-d3d]

@Gnar_Dogg you think the dodgers aren't going to buy out those years?

[@Gnar_Dogg]

@@MindQuestTrivia-d3d From what I understand that is largely against IFA rules/regulations. Teams are not allowed to sign him for what IFA bonus and then sign them on an extension.

[@gregmatyas4272]

He can only sign for $8m max

[@MindQuestTrivia-d3d]

@gregmatyas4272 and that's more than the league minimum.

[@johnagana2868]

Hoyer probably thinks he can sign him comparable to Shota

[@jessl1014]

The second "s" is just like a regular "s." Not like a "soft z." At least I'm pretty sure. Not a Japanese speaker

[@mikefreaz]

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

[@mikecrespi1184]

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.

[@rae5r]

How exactly is that bad for the team's culture?

[@gatorbite9816]

Fix the bullpen add a solid starter and enjoy the playoffs

[@milopond]

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

[@James-sd5mf]

Look Ricketts was trying to buy a dam soccer team for 4 billion dollars, I don't want to hear he poor ,he not poor he a cheap mo period .Sell the team .

[@dave-pm9bu]

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

[@Mark-ph5nh]

No bats no score no wins. We need bats

[@jeremysmith8033]

Not many spots for bats right now.

[@MP-nz8nr]

Great bats are negated in the playoffs with elite pitching.

[@XCal1bur23]

Good pitching beats great hitting 70% of the time. There's a reason a. 300 average is considered a Hall of Fame criteria. So far as the Cubs are directly concerned, if they had signed Hader last off-season, they would have won the division handily. Just convert 17 of those blown saves to wins and you have a 100 win team.

[@josephhall657]

Park factor suppression most likely balances out. That hurts the staff. The numbers by the rotation were heavily influenced by park.

[@Mark-ph5nh]

@@MP-nz8nr we need bats to get into a playoff first than think about the pitching later

[@James-sd5mf]

All these discussions mean nothing until there is a chg of management and players ,will be the same losers until this happens have a nice day

[@Beatlesbec]

Bears will end up 4-13

[@JamesRios-ll1cw]

RICKETS AINT GONNA SPEND ANY REAL MONEY, LEAVE THAT UP TO THE DODGERS AND YANKS

[@heathenhawk853]

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

[@Hunter-R-Hickey]

Let's be real, Sasaki is going to sign with the Dodgers.

[@Beatlesbec]

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET SOTO

[@KazeShikamaru]

Watch Roki sign with the As to troll everyone.

[@jsa790]

i think roki is going to the padres. it’s a small market, he would get less attention than LA, decent japanese population, and darvish is there for 4 more years.

[@johnnyboyjohns2930]

Darvish connection?!? Get less attention in sd?!? So, he’s leaving the NPD to go hide in a smaller market?!? Madres act like Ohtani and Yamamoto are strangers to him. IF, he does choose the madres, good luck to him; no cap. Muck the fadres. 🤡💨💩🤫

[@DonnyShine]

so it's gonna be another offseason failure

[@ItzEvelyn121]

That’s a bad take Sam.

[@michaelbingham6907]

Sign Bauer nowadays!

[@robertcuratolo5339]

Getting Sasaki would probably give us 83 wins again.

[@josephhall657]

Dodgers then rest are hype.

[@Dwayne4007]

I'd rather have burnes

[@timad11]

He isnt coming to the Cubs.

[@thehammondkid]

Cubs are mid market

[@soulpancake459]

Wishful thinking. He wants to be a dodger and play with old team mates.

[@James-sd5mf]

Cheap contract on a cheap club that's Chicago all teams worst in America Chicag laughing stocks😅😅