DALLAS — The Detroit Tigers are actively vying for the services of Roki Sasaki, who is set to become available next month. This move by the Tigers is not without reason. Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from Japan, is widely regarded as a potential once-in-a-generation talent and one of the most exciting international prospects ever seen. His remarkable triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter have the potential to completely transform any team's rotation.

MLB's International Bonus Pool Restrictions

However, due to MLB's international bonus pool restrictions, Sasaki's signing bonus will not accurately reflect his true value. The bonus must be drawn from the same pool of money that is typically used to sign teenagers from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. The Tigers, along with seven other teams, have a maximum of $7.56 million in pool money for 2025. This unique set of circumstances has not deterred the Tigers from showing their interest.

The Tigers' President's Perspective

Tigers president Scott Harris has made no attempt to hide his team's interest in Sasaki. As he stated on Tuesday, "Every team in baseball wants Sasaki. We do, too. We're working hard on a presentation to present our organization as highly appealing to Roki and his agent. It's going to be a fierce competition, and we're dedicated to making our case. We'll see how it unfolds, but yes, we are interested in Sasaki."

Speculation and Agent's Response

There is speculation about whether Sasaki will actually sign with a team like the Tigers or the Kansas City Royals or the Cleveland Guardians. Some have even suggested that it might be a mere show until he signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Sasaki's agent Joel Wolfe has dismissed these speculations. He said, "There were some unfounded accusations and allegations made about predetermined deals. I believe that a smaller or mid-market team could be more beneficial for him as a soft landing coming from Japan. Considering what he has been through and not having a pleasant experience with the media, it might be advantageous for him to be in a smaller market."

The Tigers' Rotation and Future Plans

If the Tigers do not land Sasaki, their search for free-agent starters is likely to come to an end. They have recently added veteran Alex Cobb to a rotation that already includes 2024 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and youngster Reese Olson. With as many as seven pitchers vying for the final two spots (or just one if Sasaki were to sign with Detroit and shock the baseball world), the Tigers will shift their focus to other items on their winter wishlist. As Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg said, "I think we're in a very solid position right now. We're operating from a position of strength in our rotation."