Sasaki's agent: Client pondering next steps after interest from 20 teams
Roki Sasaki received a lot of interest this winter - and the Japanese pitching phenom is considering his next steps.
20 clubs pursued Sasaki, using video presentations, powerpoints, and books as a way to entice the pitcher, his agent Joel Wolfe said on Monday, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.
"It was like the Roki film festival," Wolfe said, before adding that his client gave interested teams a homework assignment to see how they could communicate with him.
Sasaki recently met with some of the interested teams at the Wasserman Media Group offices, where his agent works, to create a level playing field. The 23-year-old has since returned to Japan and might want to visit one or two cities before making a final decision, Wolfe said, according to Newsday's Tim Healey.
"He is definitely driving the ship and calling the shots," Wolfe said.
Joel Wolfe, agent for Roki Sasaki, said the Japanese pitcher requested that no players be involved in initial meetings with clubs. So no, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were not part of #Dodgers initial pitch to the RHP.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) December 31, 2024
The Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers were reportedly among the teams to meet with Sasaki, while the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox were not offered the opportunity to sit down with the pitcher.
Sasaki is highly coveted in free agency after he authored a 2.10 ERA and 11.5 K/9 in 64 appearances for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Pacific League between 2021 and 2024.
He also opted to pursue an MLB opportunity before the age of 25, meaning he'll cost teams far less money to sign because he's tied to international bonus pool restrictions and must sign as a minor-league free agent.
"He's not coming here to be rich or to get a huge contract," Wolfe said, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
"He wants to be great. He wants to be one of the greatest ever. ... To be that, he knows he has to challenge himself ... "
The right-hander cannot sign with an MLB team until the international signing period begins Jan. 15. He also has a posting window that closes Jan. 24.
Wolfe said his client is uncertain about signing Jan. 15 but will ink a deal before the posting deadline, according to Healey.