ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan brings us the latest on Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki. Sasaki, 23, is widely regarded as one of the world's most talented pitchers. His team in Nippon Professional Baseball, the Chiba Lotte Marines, announced in November that they planned to place him in the posting system, opening a 45-day window for teams to convince him to choose them once the international amateur signing period opens on January 15.

Uncover the MLB Recruitment Frenzy for Roki Sasaki

Expected Posting and Timeline

Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is set to be officially posted at Major League Baseball's winter meetings next week. This marks the beginning of a 45-day window during which teams will strive to persuade him to join their ranks. His team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, made the announcement on November 9. The posting window is expected to open on Tuesday. It's an exciting time as teams gear up to secure this potential front-line starter.With MLB rules dictating that foreign professionals under 25 years old and with fewer than six years' experience must sign as international amateurs, Sasaki's contract will be a fraction of what he would receive as a major league free agent. This presents a unique opportunity for teams to acquire his services at a steep discount.

His Pitching Prowess

Sasaki's pitching arsenal is truly remarkable. He boasts a triple-digit fastball, an arguably the best split-fingered fastball in the world, and a slider. His quality and array of pitches put him among the game's best. This year with the Marines, he went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 32 walks, and only two home runs allowed over 111 innings. Over the course of his four-year career, he is 29-15 with a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts against 88 walks in 394⅔ innings. His performance on the mound is nothing short of exceptional.

Teams in the Sweepstakes

The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been linked to Sasaki and will remain a strong contender. His Samurai Japan teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were integral parts of their 2024 World Series-winning team. However, him joining the Dodgers is not a foregone conclusion. Other teams expected to be significant players in the Sasaki sweepstakes include the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. There is also the possibility that other teams could emerge and join the race.When Ohtani was posted and signed for $2.3 million instead of the riches of full free agency, the Los Angeles Angels, with whom he eventually signed, were not among the favorites. The process for determining Sasaki's ultimate destination is expected to be similar, with teams submitting written materials to outline their plans and the field of contenders being narrowed before he makes his choice.