A genius hitter over Ohtani and a 165km monster every day work together? Attention is focused on the Mets' wide-ranging walk
A genius hitter over Ohtani and a 165km monster every day work together? Attention is focused on the Mets' wide-ranging walk
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Will another "dream duo" be born? How likely is it that the "genius hitter" who broke the record of "superstar" Shohei Ohtani (aged 30, LA Dodgers) and a Japanese monster pitcher will meet in the same team.
The New York Mets' wide-ranging performance in this offseason of the Major League is drawing attention. The Mets signed Juan Soto (26), the "genius hitter" who appeared as the "biggest free agent," for 15 years and 765 million U.S. dollars, setting a new record for North American sports. The previous record was 700 million dollars for 10 years that Ohtani and the Dodgers agreed on.
Initially, the "600 million dollar contract theory" over Soto continued to circulate, but few predicted that it would exceed Ohtani's contract amount. Nevertheless, as competition among clubs such as the Mets, the New York Yankees, and the Toronto Blue Jays heated up, Soto's ransom naturally rose, and Soto could become the main character of the new history due to the Mets' active betting.
In other words, the Mets are eager to strengthen their capabilities. The Mets recorded 89-73 (win percentage .549) this year and dramatically advanced to the postseason, beating the Milwaukee Brewers with 2-1 in the wild card game, and in the Division Series, they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies with 3-1 to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time in nine years. However, they could not afford to go to the World Series. They lost to the Dodgers they met in the League Championship Series with two wins and four losses, failing to secure a ticket to the World Series.
The Mets, who have seen a possibility through their advance to the League Championship Series this year, are seeking to strengthen their power by recruiting "genius hitter" Soto and even aiming for the Japanese monster pitcher Roki Sasaki. There were already talks that the Mets had a meeting with Sasaki. Andy Martino of "SNY," a New York-based media outlet, said on the 20th (Korean time), "According to sources, the Mets met with Sasaki."
Of course, the Mets are not the only ones who want Sasaki. The "Sasaki scramble," which was initially expected to narrow down to a "two-way race" between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, is getting hotter as the Yankees are openly jumping in and the Chicago Cubs are joining the team.
Of course, the fiercer competition for Sasaki does not necessarily change his ransom. Sasaki cannot afford to pocket a large amount of money right now due to the international amateur player contract rules under the age of 25. If so, it means that the teams have to compete with something other than "money" to win Sasaki's heart. Sasaki's negotiations will expire on January 23 next year.
Attention is focusing on who can steal Sasaki's heart. If Sasaki heads to the Mets, he will form a "super duo" with "genius hitter" Soto. With the Dodgers considered the strongest candidate next year, attention is focusing on whether the Mets will emerge as a "great horse."
Sasaki, 안전놀이터 who had been drawing attention as an "elementary and high school pitcher" since his high school days, made his professional debut in 2020 by wearing the Chiba Lotte Marines uniform of the Japanese professional baseball league. He commanded the Japanese professional baseball stage by banking on a fastball with a maximum speed of 165 kilometers and a slider, his main weapon. In particular, he made headlines by becoming the youngest player in the Japanese professional baseball perfect game in 2022, and last year, he joined the World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team to help Japan win the title.
This year, he pitched 111 innings to post 10-5 record with an ERA of 2.35 and displayed impressive ball power with 129 strikeouts. His overall performance in Japanese pro baseball was 29-15 record with an ERA of 2.10 in 64 games, 394 ⅔ innings.