Sasaki officially posted, has until Jan. 23 to sign with MLB team

Let the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes begin.

The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league have officially posted the young star pitcher, kicking off the process through which he can sign with an MLB team as an amateur free agent.

The San Diego Padres, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies are among the teams in the mix, according to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports HQ.

Sasaki is widely expected to sign his deal between Jan. 15 - when MLB's 2025 international signing period for all players begins - and Jan. 23, the final day of his posting window.

A signing before Jan. 15 is unlikely as it would fall under the 2024 signing period for which most teams have already used their bonus pool money.

Endorsement potential, a chance to compete for a championship, and the strength of the organization's pitching development are three key factors likely to influence Sasaki's decision, Bowden reports.

Sasaki and his agent Joel Wolfe are expected to begin meeting with interested teams as early as Dec. 15, a source told baseball reporter Francys Romero.

The 23-year-old profiles as a frontline starter at the major level thanks to his blazing fastball and devastating splitter. He recorded a 2.02 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 524 strikeouts in 414 2/3 career innings with the Marines.