Mariners legend could save team’s pursuit of Roki Sasaki

Little more than a month ago, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Roki Sasaki would be heading to the Dodgers. Now, based on the most recent comments from his agent, Joel Wolfe, it seems like all 30 teams could be possible suitors.

Because Sasaki and Wolfe seem to be open to meeting with anyone willing to pursue his services, the Mariners will have to pull out all the stops to stand out above their peers. What's one thing Seattle has that the other clubs don't? Someone will soon become the first-ever Japanese player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Despite making his final plate appearance for the team at the beginning of 2019, Ichiro Suzuki has continued to have a positive impact on the Mariners. In addition to helping out with coaching, he has developed a close mentor-like relationship with leaders on the team like J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez. Heading into the 2025 season, he may now turn his attention to bringing Sasaki to the PNW.

Jerry Dipoto has expressed a lukewarm attitude towards proactively pursuing other free agents this offseason but also stated that Sasaki is a priority for the club. After he was officially posted by his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, it was reported that Seattle's front office is planning a major recruiting push that would include leveraging Ichiro's close ties to the club.

As the first position player to ever successfully make the transition from NPB to MLB, Ichiro has an immaculate reputation and his word carries a significant amount of weight amongst Japanese players. In many ways, he paved the way for future countrymen like Hideki Matsui, Masataka Yoshida, and Shohei Ohtani the same way that Hideo Nomo opened the doors for Japanese pitchers.

Mariners News: Ichirio Suzuki could factor into Roki Sasaki negotiations

Here's what Shohei Ohtani said about Ichiro a couple years back:

"Growing up, Ichiro was for me the way that I think some kids, some people, look at me today. Like I'm a different species. Larger than life. He was a superstar in Japan. He had this charisma about him. But once I actually met him, and went to dinner with him, he was much closer to an average guy—which was kind of surprising."

It will be a competitive market, but it's encouraging to hear that the front office is utilizing all of the tools at their disposal. When it comes to free agent pursuits or current trade talks, the team has seemed unwilling to engage in many serious discussions, but there's a clear attitude shift when Dipoto has talked about the Sasaki sweepstakes. Signing him could also free up one of their existing starters to be traded in exchange for an impact bat, fanning the flames of urgency to get this deal over the line.