Emerging from the Nation of the Rising Sun, a new launcher is ready to make its leap into the Big Leagues and drive the winter market crazy. Since the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Professional Baseball League announced that Roki Sasaki will be available to sign through the post system, there are many teams that will want to acquire the services of a baseball gem, especially since he will qualify as an international amateur free agent as he is under 25 years old.
In Major League Baseball They are already rubbing their hands to see an exceptional talent on their diamonds, as demonstrated in the 2023 World Classic, in which he shared a team with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamotowith 11 fans in 7.3 innings.
Unique opportunity
Through the release fee, the Marines could receive 20 percent of the total guaranteed value of the contract he signs this serpentinero, whose signature is expected not to exceed the 25 million dollarsbeing 23 years old.
This means that the lucky team that gets him will be able to do so without having to shell out a lot of money, like the Dodgers did with Yamamoto, who signed for 12 years and $325 million.
Sasaki’s case will be more similar to the one Ohtani had in 2017, in which The Angels were fortunate enough to sign him for a bonus of 2.3 million dollars and allowed them to get a superstar who achieved his two nominations as the Most Valuable Player of the American League in 2021 and 2023.
The profile of the star
Sasaki raises many expectations due to the level shown in Japanese ball, to the point that He is already considered one of the best pitchers to emerge in the NPBa League known for being one of the most important platforms for this sport worldwide. The numbers back it up: in four seasons, it has 2.02 ERA, rates of 11.4 strikeouts, 2.0 walks and 6.0 hits per nine innings pitched.
According to Major League scouting reports, Sasaki has the potential to be a top-line starter and he has three power pitches, such as a four-seam fastball that averages 99 miles per hour, an 88.2 mph split-finger fastball and an 83.6 mph slider that has allowed him to get many strikes.
45 days of madness
All those interested in getting Sasaki will have to do so in the post system. If the Japanese does not reach an agreement in those 45 days, he will have to return to the NPB and it cannot be posted until the next winter market.
The first period of international signings ends on December 15, while the second period will begin on January 15, 2025. If he signs before December 2, Sasaki would sign only during the 2024 period because the 45 days They would run out before starting the second stage.
If the signing occurs between December 2 and 15, there is the possibility that it will occur in either of the two periods, with December 15 as the deadline to negotiate an agreement that is part of this year’s period. If you decide to wait until the 2025 period, the international signing bonus will be reinstated for all 30 teams.
Los Angeles Dodgersreigning Major League champions and home to two Japanese superstars like Ohtani and Yamamoto, part as one of the favorite teams to stay with Sasaki, by offering him not only the largest bonus allowed and the possibility of negotiating a great contract in the future, also for the sporting attraction of being part of a competitive roster that can fight to win more World Series in the short and long term .
Other equipment such as Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants y Boston Red Sox They also look like probable destinations for the Japanese to decide to defend his shirt. Without a doubt, one of the big stories of this offseason will be that of Roki Sasaki.
Bonus fund for international firms
Dodgers: 2 million 502 thousand 500 dollars
Orioles: 2 million 147 thousand 300 dollars
Yankees: 1 million 487 thousand 200 dollars
Giants: 1 million 247 thousand 500 dollars
Medias Rojas: 990 thousand dollars
If Sasaki waits until the 2025 signing period to reach a deal, the 30 teams’ international signing bonus would theoretically be reset. However, depending on the clubs’ plans for the next period, the outlook may not change much. Teams also have the ability to acquire additional funds for the international signing bonus through trades, which could help boost any bonus offer.
RGS
