Verlander signing could make SF Giants more attractive to Roki Sasaki

The SF Giants signing legendary starting pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year contract should have a positive impact on the team's younger pitchers. It could also potentially be a move that makes the Giants more attractive to Roki Sasaki.

The Giants are reportedly one of the teams still in the running for pitcher Roki Sasaki. The Japanese free agent has no shortage of suitors and it still seems like a bit of a long shot that the Giants will sign him. However, the Giants adding one of the best pitchers of the last 15 years cannot hurt their chances to sign Sasaki.

Verlander signing might help lure Roki Sasaki to the SF Giants

Sasaki is reportedly taking many factors into account when deciding which team to sign with, and one of those factors is pitching development. Basically, it seems like he wants a team that can help take his existing talent and turn him into an even better pitcher. That could mean he wants to know how good the coaching staff is at getting the most out of their pitchers, but it could also mean that he wants other pitchers on the team who will help him reach his goals.

There are not many better potential mentors out there than Justin Verlander. The nearly 20-year veteran has seen it all in baseball, winning three Cy Young Awards and two World Series titles. If Sasaki wants to learn the ropes from an established veteran, Verlander could potentially be a big draw for him to come to San Francisco.

Of course, winning will also probably be a big factor in Sasaki's decision. Verlander is unlikely to make up for the fact that the Giants are probably not a playoff team on paper as things currently stand. If he wants to join a contender, other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees definitely make more sense.

Yet, if he would rather start his career out of the spotlight then San Francisco could make sense as a landing spot since he will not have the scrutiny that would come with joining a team like the Dodgers. He could join a team that does not have very high expectations for 2025 and learn how to be a big league pitcher with the aid of one of the best who has ever done it in Verlander.

To be clear, it still seems unlikely that the Giants will land Sasaki, but the Verlander addition could be one added benefit if he is considering coming to San Francisco.