Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters on Wednesday that he anticipates superstar Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to join the 2025 international signing class.
As the 2024 class nears its end, Sasaki will have the chance to explore greater financial opportunities by waiting for the 2025 class, set to begin on Jan. 15.
It seems this has been Sasaki’s plan all along, and on Wednesday, Manfred confirmed just that.
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Sasaki is widely predicted to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers once he is officially posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. However, as he is still classified as an amateur free agent, he can only sign with a team within their international bonus pool. This levels the playing field for all 30 teams, eliminating any financial advantages for larger markets.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers offer numerous benefits to Sasaki, who reportedly seeks a team with strong player development. The Dodgers are known for their expertise in developing prospects and are also home to two prominent Japanese stars in MLB, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Moreover, coming off a World Series victory, the Dodgers are favored to repeat in 2025. If Sasaki desires to win, play alongside fellow Japanese stars, and join one of the top teams in player development, the Dodgers are the logical choice.
Aside from the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, a rival in the National League West, have also been associated with Sasaki due to their player development program. Additionally, the team’s ace, Yu Darvish, is said to be a mentor to Sasaki.
Teams will have to wait a few more months before finalizing their plans with Sasaki.
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Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
