Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is set to make a decision on his next team in the coming week, with sources indicating that he’s considering the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays. The 23-year-old star, known for his 100-mph fastball and devastating split-fingered fastball, was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines last December, opening a 45-day window for him to sign.
Sasaki must sign as an international amateur due to his age under 25, but this will cap his signing bonus at around $10 million. The prospect of signing Sasaki is highly alluring, offering teams immense value over the next six seasons. The finalists are exploring trading for extra bonus money beyond their allotted amount in case they’re chosen.
The Dodgers and Padres have been front-runners from the start, but Toronto’s surprise entry has added a new layer to the process. The Blue Jays, who recently emerged from a meeting with Sasaki confident and hopeful, face significant challenges in securing his services. Despite having two existing players who are part of Sasaki’s Samurai Japan team, the Dodgers have been the public favorites.
Sasaki’s visit to San Diego over the weekend has brought the conclusion of the process closer, with teams across baseball engaged in the negotiations. The international signing period opens on Wednesday, but it’s expected that Sasaki won’t sign until around January 23, when his posting window closes.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43401000/yankees-rangers-added-clubs-sasaki-join