Japanese right-handed pitcher, Roki Sasaki, may soon be made available, or “posted” for free agency to Major League Baseball teams.
Sasaki, only 23, has been a standout pitching star for the Chiba Lotte Marines, in the Japan Pacific League.
It is widely believed Chiba Lotte will make Sasaki available to MLB clubs. However, the timing of the “posting” remains unclear.
Sasaki has pitched parts of four seasons in Japan, making 69 game appearances, and throwing 414.2 innings.
Sasaki would arrive stateside with a sparkling 30-15 career record, 2.02 ERA, and 1.03 WHIP.
Sasaki has struck out an average of 11.4 hitters per nine innings, while walking two per nine.
Sasaki hits 98 regularly on the radar gun. He also throws a devastating splitter, just like his Japanese counterparts, Shohei Ohtani, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Sasaki’s third pitch is a slider, which grades out above average in depth and quality.
Sasaki’s case is a bit out of the ordinary for Japanese players wishing to sign with a major league club.
Sasaki is only 23-years old. Sasaki has not played in a recognized MLB league for six seasons.
As a result, the amount of “bonus” money Sasaki receives is limited if he is posted before he is 25.
If the Chiba Lotte Marines do make Sasaki available to MLB clubs, the successful team will have to pay a “posting” fee to the Marines for negotiating rights to Sasaki.
Major League Baseball teams have an international pool of money that is made available to attract international players.
Most teams have already spent most of their pool allotment this year.
However, if the Marines elect to “post” Sasaki after January 15, 2025, each team will be starting fresh with a new international signing budget.
Regardless of when he is “posted,” Sasaki still will not realize the type of signing bonus he would fetch if he were 25-years-old, and had six years of experience with a recognized MLB club.
When Shohei Ohtani came stateside with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, he was 23-years-old. He signed for a $2.3 million signing bonus, and a major league contract.
Because he didn’t wait to be “posted” until he was 25, Ohtani probably cost himself millions and millions of dollars.
However, Ohtani recovered that money by signing a huge, free agent contract with the Dodgers when he was 29-years old. His contract is valued at $700 million for 10-years.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers in 2024, at the age of 25. He has a 12-year contract, valued at $325 million. He also has two opt out chances in his contract that will occur after 2029, and 2031.
In essence, if he is “posted” and signs with a big league club soon, Sasaki will leave millions on the table. He will hope to recover that with Ohtani type success, and an Ohtani type contract.
Or, Sasaki can wait until he is 25, and fetch a huge signing bonus.
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