Roki Sasaki's MLB Free Agency Sparks Intense Competition Among Top Teams

The 23-year-old Japanese pitching phenom is fielding offers from MLB franchises, with the Dodgers, Padres, and others vying for his signature within the international free agent signing window.

Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old star pitcher from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, has been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines and is now available for MLB teams to sign by January 23, 2025.
Sasaki is considered one of the most talented pitchers in the world, known for his 102 mph fastball and devastating splitter, alongside a historic perfect game in 2022 and a standout performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Due to MLB's international bonus pool restrictions, Sasaki will sign a contract worth far less than his market value, making team fit and opportunity key factors in his decision.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, with their recent success and strong connections to Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani, are seen as frontrunners, though the San Diego Padres and their ties to Yu Darvish present strong competition.
Other teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Chicago White Sox, are making their pitches, with in-person meetings expected to play a crucial role in Sasaki's final decision.