Agent Joel Wolfe Discusses Roki Sasaki’s Free Agency

Agent Joel Wolfe of Wasserman met with the media at the Winter Meetings in Dallas to talk about various topics, notably discussing the plan for newly posted right-hander Roki Sasaki. MLBTR was present as Wolfe talked about Sasaki, the 23-year-old standout pitcher from Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines, who is now able to negotiate with all major league teams.

Due to his age, Sasaki must adhere to MLB’s international amateur rules. This means he can only sign a minor league deal and receive a bonus within his team’s allotted bonus pool. If he had waited two more years, he could potentially have signed a lucrative contract rivaling that of fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

When asked about Sasaki’s decision to seek posting now instead of waiting, Wolfe explained that it was influenced by cultural reasons and Sasaki’s personal aspirations to play in the major leagues. Wolfe also touched on the media coverage in Japan, which he deemed unfair at times and potentially detrimental to Sasaki.

“It’s always been his dream to come to the major leagues… He’s grown up idolizing players like Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, Daisuke Matsuzaka. This is something he’s always wanted to do.”

Wolfe mentioned that Sasaki’s primary focus has been on his posting, and discussions about free agency factors have not yet taken place in detail. Sasaki will be meeting with interested teams shortly, with a decision expected to come after January 15.

Wolfe highlighted the importance of Sasaki’s long-term career over short-term financial gains and noted that a small-market team could possibly be beneficial for him. The process of selecting a team will involve multiple rounds of visits and meetings.

Sasaki has officially been posted for MLB teams, initiating a 45-day negotiation period. His former team, Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive a release fee based on the terms of the NPB/MLB posting system. Sasaki’s performance in Japan has garnered significant interest from MLB teams, and any team that signs him will have control over him for at least six seasons.

While a contract extension in the near future is unlikely, it remains a possibility down the road if Sasaki excels in the MLB. Wolfe emphasized that any decision regarding an extension would be based on leverage and long-term career considerations.