MLB free agency this offseason has featured elite starting pitchers being available, and Roki Sasaki joined that group once the Chiba Lotte Marines posted the Japanese phenom during the Winter Meetings in Dallas.
While it made Sasaki eligible to negotiate and sign with an MLB team, his timeline has extended into next year. Sasaki is expected to make his decision once the 2025 international signing period begins on Jan. 15.
There is currently a freeze in place as MLB transitions between the 2024 international signing period to the start of next year’s, but Sasaki and his agent Joel Wolfe are permitted to meet with teams during this stretch.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres continue to be touted as the favorites to sign the 23-year-old, but Wolfe has maintained all teams, even those in small markets, are being considered.
In the latest Sasaki update from Wolfe, he also indicated the right-hander wouldn’t necessarily sign immediately when the 2025 international signing period opens on Jan. 15. Instead, Sasaki’s decision will come at some point between that date and his Jan. 23 deadline.
Roki Sasaki meetings tracker and timeline
Dec. 30: San Diego Padres
According to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the San Diego Padres were among the teams that received a meeting with Sasaki in December.
Dec. 28: Los Angeles Dodgers
What had long been expected was confirmed by agent Joel Wolfe, who revealed Sasaki had an in-person meeting with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dec. 23: San Francisco Giants
Although less clear, the San Francisco Giants are also believed to have met with Sasaki during the same window of days as the Rangers, Cubs, Mets and Yankees, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Dec. 23: Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young revealed his team met with Sasaki in person last week, via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Dec. 20: Chicago Cubs
Perhaps somewhat of a dark horse candidate, the Chicago Cubs met with Sasaki on Dec. 20, via Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
Dec. 19: New York Yankees
Sasaki’s first day of team meetings also included a sit-down with the New York Yankees, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Dec. 19: New York Mets
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets had their in-person meeting with Sasaki on Thursday, Dec. 19. The Mets are believed to have been the first team to meet with Sasaki since he was posted.
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