The countdown for Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to announce his decision on which Major League Baseball team he will make his debut with next season is already underway and could be made as soon as the international signing period opens from January 15-23.
Sasaki is known not to want to waste much time in reporting to his new team as soon as spring training begins, so it is possible that as early as January 15 he will announce his next destination.
Meanwhile, over the next few days there are several teams on alert, including the Dodgers, who have shown confidence in being among the favorites, which according to a X post by baseball reporter Marcos Grunfeld, has led them to halt their international signings until they know Sasaki’s decision.
“The Dodgers seem to be waiting to sign right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki, as they are putting their international amateur signings on hold. A source says they are proposing to their 2025 class to sign in 2026,” Grunfeld posted on his X account, as the Japanese’s decision leaves any team unable to sign another international prospect.
The Dodgers could be in for a surprise
According to Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, his client would do well to choose a small market, because he did not have pleasant experiences with the Japanese media, which would lead him to opt for something more discreet, which is where the Chicago Cubs gain strength, competing in popularity in Japan, for having Japanese players Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga on their roster.
Additionally, Jon Heyman revealed in Bleacher Report that he has information that Sasaki is friends with Shota Imanaga, which could tip the balance in Chicago’s favor.
“I heard he’s friends with Imanaga, so maybe the Cubs have a chance… Anyway, who wouldn’t want to be a Cub? So I think Sasaki might go to the Cubs,” Heyman said.
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