Yu Darvish Endorses Chicago Cubs for Roki Sasaki's Next MLB Destination

In a surprising turn of events reported by Holly Baylor of FAX Sports, San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish has thrown his weight behind the Chicago Cubs as the "perfect fit" for fellow Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. This endorsement comes at a time when Sasaki, a highly coveted free agent, is considering his options in Major League Baseball.

The tweet from Holly Baylor, which has since gone viral, captures the essence of Darvish's influence in the baseball world, especially among Japanese talents eyeing a move to the MLB. Sasaki, who has been nothing short of phenomenal in his performances, is reportedly taking Darvish's advice very seriously, placing the Cubs at the top of his list for potential teams.

Darvish and Sasaki celebrate a North Japan World Finals championship in 2019.

The reaction within the Cubs camp has been overwhelmingly positive. Potential teammate Dansby Swanson chimed in on social media, "He should come here. I'll teach him how to play soccer." This light-hearted comment reflects the welcoming atmosphere within the team, along with the influence of the Chicago Red Stars and Swanson's wife, Mallory Pugh. Either way, it could possibly sway Sasaki's decision further towards the Windy City.

However, the plot thickens as the North Japan Samurai Baseball Organization, keen on keeping Sasaki in Japan, is considering drastic measures. There are talks of asking newly signed pitcher Max Scherzer to defer his entire $50 million salary to free up cap space for Sasaki. This move could set a precedent for how teams might handle salary cap constraints in pursuit of top international talent.

The baseball world is abuzz with speculation. Other teams, notably the Dodgers, who have been on a signing spree, are expected to make their pitch to Sasaki. The Dodgers' track record of integrating international stars successfully makes them a formidable contender against the Cubs, as far as we know.

As the saga unfolds, all eyes are on Roki Sasaki. Will he heed Darvish's advice and don the Cubs' pinstripes, or will another team swoop in with an offer he can't refuse? Stay tuned for more updates from Holly Baylor on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest developments in this high-stakes game of baseball checkers.