This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch¡¯s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees have had an eventful offseason thus far, pivoting from Juan Soto¡¯s departure to announce deals acquiring Max Fried, Devin Williams and Cody Bellinger in short order. There is more to do, and their attention is now being focused -- at least partially -- upon Japanese standout Roki Sasaki.

While holding a formal news conference to introduce Fried at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, general manager Brian Cashman revealed that the club has been granted an in-person meeting with the ace right-hander, who is classified as an international amateur and will be able to select from several interested suitors.

¡°He¡¯s obviously a tremendous talent,¡± Cashman said. ¡°No doubt about it, he has a chance to be one of the world¡¯s great pitchers. It¡¯d be nice to have Yankee Stadium be his home, but the decision will be up to him. All we can do is share everything and anything about ourselves and what we provide.¡±

Cashman declined to say when the meeting would be held, revealing only that it would be ¡°soon¡± in California. He also would not say if former Japanese Yankees stars like Hideki Matsui or Masahiro Tanaka are scheduled to attend.

At the Winter Meetings in Dallas, agent Joel Wolfe suggested that the 23-year-old Sasaki might benefit from a team in a smaller market, pointing out that Sasaki encountered difficulty managing media demands while pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines.

However, when asked directly about the prospect of Sasaki pitching in New York, Wolfe replied: ¡°I think he could handle it.¡±

The Yankees aim to deliver their best pitch to Sasaki, highlighting how they believe their analytics and coaching could help the hurler refine his outstanding arsenal. But they are also likely to brainstorm ways to insulate him from the spotlight.

Sasaki already boasts stellar stuff, featuring a fastball that touches 100 mph, a devastating splitter and an improving slider. Over four seasons with Chiba Lotte, Sasaki has recorded a 2.02 ERA with 524 strikeouts and 91 walks across 414 2/3 innings.

¡°He¡¯s an impressive pitcher,¡± said pitching coach Matt Blake, who has reviewed video of Sasaki. ¡°He¡¯s a good athlete, good arm and obviously a really good splitter. I think he¡¯s going to offer a lot to someone.¡±

? Here's the scouting report on Roki Sasaki

In one respect, the Yankees are already ahead of where they stood with Shohei Ohtani under similar circumstances in 2017; Ohtani declined an in-person meeting with them, making it clear that his preference would be to play for a West Coast club.

Cashman said that he also recognizes that may be the case with Sasaki; the Dodgers and Padres have been reported as favorites.

¡°I¡¯m going to be very candid, I¡¯m going to be very transparent,¡± Cashman said. ¡°It¡¯s our one shot to separate ourselves. If there is West Coast bias, the only way to overcome that is [show] how we can help and support him in any way, shape or form we can. So we will be very transparent, and if that still doesn¡¯t get us the player, so be it.¡±

Sasaki¡¯s signing window expires at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23, and he reportedly plans to wait until the 2025 international signing period begins on Jan. 15 before agreeing to a deal. Whichever team signs Sasaki would have him under control for six years of service time before he would be eligible for unrestricted free agency.

¡°All I can tell you is, I appreciate having the opportunity to connect,¡± Cashman said. ¡°After that, ultimately, it¡¯s an individual choice, and he¡¯ll make it.¡±