The race to sign Roki Sasaki is looking less like a sprint and more like a middle-distance run.
Sasaki, the 23-year-old pitcher who recently announced his intent to leave Japan for Major League Baseball, has yet to be formally posted by his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. Once he’s posted, Sasaki will have 45 days to finalize a new contract with a major league team.
More news: Roki Sasaki Makes Decision About Joining MLB
The timing of the posting will affect Sasaki’s signing bonus. If he signs after Jan. 15 — the first day of the 2025 international amateur signing period — Sasaki will be limited to about $7.6 million, according to figures posted by Baseball America, plus any international signing bonus money teams are able to acquire via trade in the interim. If he signs earlier, his bonus will be even less.
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 14: Roki Sasaki #14 of Team Japan practices during a training session at Tokyo Dome on March 14, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Sasaki might not sign until after Jan. 15. TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 14: Roki Sasaki #14 of Team Japan practices during a training session at Tokyo Dome on March 14, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. Sasaki might not sign until after Jan. 15. Gene Wang/Getty Images
Commissioner Rob Manfred, speaking at the MLB owners’ meetings Wednesday, told reporters that he expects Sasaki to sign after Jan. 15.