Don’t rule Rangers out as dark horse candidate for star international free agent

Just because something is unlikely does not mean it is necessarily impossible.

The offseason is a perfect time to let one's imagination run wild. The Texas Rangers will surely look to make changes, and it is too early to rule them out of the race for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki.

It was recently reported that the Chiba Lotte Marines will post Sasaki and make him available to MLB clubs. He holds a career ERA of 2.02 across 414.2 innings, and is coming off of a 2024 that saw him put up a 2.35 ERA amidst a dip in fastball velocity.

Don’t rule Rangers out as dark horse candidate for star international free agent

"I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post," Sasaki said in a statement. "There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans. I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me."

The New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers have all already been rumored to be interested. But, Sasaki's financial restrictions and injury history will make it possible for a team like Texas to sign him.

Since Sasaki is younger than 25, he will be considered an international amateur free agent whose first contract will be a minor league deal worth no more than seven figures. As a result, "the usual suspects" on each coast will not have the same financial firepower.

Further, there are questions surrounding Sasaki's sustainability. He dealt with an oblique injury and right arm soreness this past season. These factors, combined with an already mentioned dip in velocity may make some teams shy away.

Even though Texas is reportedly attempting to stay under the luxury threshold, Sasaki could be a key addition to the top of their rotation. Since there will not be a traditional bidding war for his services, the Rangers could swoop in and sell him on a future in Arlington.