Agent: Mid-market team 'might be more beneficial' for Sasaki

Joel Wolfe, Roki Sasaki's agent, doesn't believe his star client signing with a big-market team is a foregone conclusion.

"I think that there is an argument to be made that a smaller, mid-market team might be more beneficial for him as a soft landing," Wolfe said, according to SNY.

"Might be - I'm not saying it will be. I don't know how he's going to view it. It might be beneficial for him to be in a smaller market, but I really don't know how he looks at it yet because I haven't had a chance to really sit down and discuss it with him in great detail."

Sasaki's posting window officially opened Tuesday, and he's expected to draw serious interest from teams around the league.

The 23-year-old's affordability is a major selling point. Teams must use their international bonus pool money to sign him as an amateur free agent, values for which range from $5.1 to $7.5 million.

Wolfe suggested Sasaki's potential relationship with the media in a given market is something that could weigh on his decision.

"Roki's had a tough go of it the last couple years," Wolfe said, per SNY. "The media in Japan has been very tough on him. He's not had a great time with it."

Wolfe added: "His dream is to come here to the major leagues."

MLB conducted an investigation to ensure Sasaki did not have a pre-existing deal in place with any team before he was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.

Sasaki's decision is expected to come after Jan. 15, once teams have their bonus pools reset for the 2025 international signing period. His window to sign with an MLB team closes Jan. 23.

The right-hander impressed the last time he pitched on U.S. soil, striking out 11 batters in 7 2/3 innings during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.