Roki Sasaki is generating massive buzz this offseason. He is drawing comparisons to Shohei Ohtani’s arrival eight years ago and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s signing last year. However, there’s a key distinction in Sasaki’s case: Yamamoto entered free agency through the traditional posting system, while 23-year-old Sasaki is an international amateur free agent. This means instead of teams bidding on him in the usual fashion, they can only sign him using their international pool money.

That places a unique constraint on his market. The shift from the posting system to the international pool system adds a layer of complexity to Roki Sasaki’s potential signing. Teams with more available international bonus money will have an edge. There are also penalties for exceeding the pool limits, so clubs will need to balance their bids carefully. This could make for an interesting dynamic, as several teams might be cautious in their pursuit; teams with deep pockets or a need to boost their international prospects could go all in. 

Teams ought to look out for this one drawback of Roki Sasaki

Roki Sasaki made his NPB debut in 2021 and has already earned two All-Star selections. He has established himself as one of Japan’s most promising pitching talents. On Sunday’s episode of the “Dodgers Dugout” podcast, MLB sportscaster Jose Mota commented on Sasaki’s future, pointing out some concerns. “He’s quite special, but I’ll point out right away that he is not as polished as Shohei was or as Yamamoto was. One thing with him is, due to the recent injuries at a very young age, you have to be very careful with how you treat him,” he said. 

Mota’s comments highlight the need for caution in how teams approach Sasaki’s development, given his injury history. While his upside is undeniable, teams will need to manage his workload and long-term health. Jose Mota also highlighted Sasaki’s ability to become a dominant ace in Major League Baseball. “Now, could he be a dominant number one guy in the big leagues? Absolutely. Is he there now? No.” Mota’s comments reflect Sasaki’s extraordinary upside; the sportscaster emphasized that the young pitcher still has room to grow. 

Top 3 landing spots for the young Japanese pitcher

The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the top contenders for Roki Sasaki, all thanks to their location on the West Coast, star power figures, and the recent World Series title. Despite having the same $5.925 million international bonus cap as teams like the New York Mets, the Dodgers are not pursuing as many international prospects this offseason. This could allow them to concentrate their resources on a single high-impact player like Sasaki. 

Next is the Yankees. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has reportedly been closely monitoring the ‘Monster of the Reiwa Era’, viewing him as a potential game-changer for their rotation, which currently lacks a dominant arm beyond Gerrit Cole. With over $6 million in their international bonus pool, the Yankees are in a strong position. Given their recent World Series defeat, adding a talent like Sasaki would be a strategic move to elevate their chances in 2025 and beyond. With the Yankees’ financial resources and a need for a frontline starter, they could emerge as serious contenders to land Sasaki. 

Last but not least, there’s yet another team from New York—the Mets were serious contenders for Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year. So naturally, they are likely to aggressively pursue Roki Sasaki as well. With owner Steve Cohen’s proven willingness to invest in top talent, they have the means to make a strong bid. However, the Mets do face a challenge in their 2025 international bonus pool. It is only around $5 million, potentially limiting their ability to sign the Japanese phenom while also targeting other high-profile talents like free agent Juan Soto. Balancing these priorities could make it difficult for the Mets to land Sasaki without sacrificing their pursuit of other key players.