Insider Reveals Reason Why Roki Sasaki Might Have Denied Yankees

The New York Yankees were never going to be good fit for Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki if this MLB insider's interpretation is true.

Mar 20, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (14) celebrates with teammates after the first inning against Mexico at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

There seemed to be some clear optimism within the New York Yankees' organization over the past few weeks as it pertained to their chances of signing 23-year-old Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki.

When asked if he thinks the Yankees (who had long been considered longshots in the Sasaki sweepstakes) have a shot at signing him, MLB.com insider Bryan Hoch said, "They think they do," during a January 7 appearance on SNY's Baseball Night in New York show.

Of course, it has since been reported that the Yankees are out on Sasaki. The general sentiment behind this is that Sasaki always preferred being on the West Coast; which is why the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are seen as the favorites to sign him.

But ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney alluded to another potential reason why Sasaki spurned the Yankees in a January 14 X post.

"In Roki Sasaki's past meetings with teams, he has come across as a very quiet, very serious person. This is being interpreted by some teams as a sign that he might prefer to be in a place where he isn't the center of attention -- in a smaller market, or among more established stars," Olney wrote.

In Roki Sasaki's past meetings with teams, he has come across as a very quiet, very serious person. This is being interpreted by some teams as a sign that he might prefer to be in a place where he isn't the center of attention -- in a smaller market, or among more established…

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 14, 2025

When one fan responded with, "And yet he's meeting with the Dodgers... 🤣🤣 it's all about $$," Olney responded by saying, "If it was about the money, he would've and could've waited for free agency."

If it was about the money, he would've and could've waited for free agency.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 15, 2025

This isn't the first time it has been reported that market size might have been a factor in Sasaki's decision. But it's interesting to hear that his personality might have been a factor, as well.

If Sasaki wanted a destination where he'd stay out of the spotlight, New York was never going to be a good fit for him.