Now that Roki Sasaki has officially been posted for Major League free agency by the Chiba Lotte Marines, his window to begin negotiating with teams opened at 2 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Teams around are now up against the clock, as Sasaki and his agency have 45 days to negotiate a contract. If no deal is reached in that timeframe, Sasaki would return to Chiba Lotte and may not be posted again until the 2025 offseason. Of course, that scenario is considered unlikely.

The known factor at play is he’s technically available to teams during the 2024 international signing period. However, the current period ends on Dec. 15, and few clubs have the available money left to offer Sasaki in the current signing window.

Thus, it’s expected Sasaki will wait to sign with an MLB team until the 2025 international signing period opens on Jan. 15. Sasaki and his agent, Joel Wolfe of Wasserman, are expected to begin meeting with teams next week.

Roki Sasaki posting details

How much can he sign for?

Being just 23 years old, Sasaki is bound to international bonus pool restrictions because he is under the age of 25. Also having less than six seasons of service time, Sasaki can only sign a contract within current posting guidelines.

The Los Angeles Dodgers hold the top figure for the 2024 period with $2,502,500, and the Orioles have $2,147,300 left. The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants have a shade over $1 million, with 26 other clubs having little to no bonus pool money remaining.

Key dates for Sasaki’s posting process

Dec. 10, 2024: Sasaki is officially posted.

Dec. 15, 2024: End of 2024 international signing period

Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 14, 2025: International signing period freeze goes into place and teams must pause until the start of the 2025 period. Negotiations are permitted during this time, however.

Jan. 23, 2025: Final day Sasaki can sign with an MLB team before his 45-day window closes.

Complete list of international bonus pool money for 2025 signing period

Several teams, including the Dodgers, are on the lower-end of available funds for international players. Because teams have a cap on what they can offer, they fall into five different categories.

Teams are permitted to trade for additional bonus pool money that amounts to adding up to 30% of their original total.

$7,555,500

Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Rays
Detroit Tigers
Seattle Mariners
Miami Marlins
Cincinnati Reds
Athletics

$6,908,600

Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Guardians
Colorado Rockies
Kansas City Royals
Pittsburgh Pirates