Roki Sasaki Meeting Frenzy: Mets Join Yankees in Pursuit of Japanese Star
The race for Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki is heating up! Following news that the Yankees had a scheduled meeting, reports now confirm the Mets have also sat down with Sasaki, according to Andy Martino of SNY.
The Hot Pursuit of Sasaki
It’s no secret that Sasaki is coveted by almost every MLB franchise. Most teams, if not all, are eager to land the 23-year-old right-hander. However, Sasaki and his representatives at Wasserman are expected to strategically select teams for in-person meetings.
Agent Joel Wolfe provided insights during the Winter Meetings, revealing that Sasaki planned to meet with teams in a central location in the United States. While the exact location wasn’t disclosed, Wolfe mentioned that Sasaki will likely return to Japan for the holidays before potentially revisiting the United States to tour cities considered finalists.
Though teams haven’t disclosed specifics, there’s speculation that the Dodgers, possibly followed closely by the Padres, may be the frontrunners. Wolfe, however, strongly refuted any notions of a prior agreement with the Dodgers last month.
Navigating the MLB Posting Process
Sasaki’s posting window officially opened on December 9th, and he must finalize his contract with an MLB team by January 23rd. Importantly, any formal signing agreement can’t occur before January 15th, following the conclusion of the international amateur period.
Sasaki’s signing bonus, however, will be capped by MLB’s amateur signing limitations. Teams are allowed to acquire up to 60% of their bonus pool through trades, although these trades won’t commence until January 15th. While Sasaki’s maximum potential bonus stands at $12.0888 million, signing for such a hefty sum is unlikely.
Teams needing additional bonus space would require significant trades and commitments, potentially exceeding most teams’ initial budgets. Teams like the Yankees and Mets, with just under $6.2616 million in their starting pools, could offer a shade over $10 million if they traded for the maximum additional 60% allocation.
The world watches intently as Sasaki considers his future. Will the Mets or the Yankees become his MLB landing spot?
Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting developments surrounding Roki Sasaki!