Updated Post – Dec. 19 at 18:55
Andy Martino of SNY stories the Mets met with Japanese star right-handed pitcher Rōki Sasaki on Thursday.
Sasaki is topic to worldwide bonus pool guidelines, so essentially the most the Mets may signal him for is $6,261,600. Unless they commerce for extra bonus pool cash, they’ll purchase as much as 60% of their authentic pool.
The Mets have already got a deal in place with the highest place participant within the 2025 IFA class, Elian Peña, for round $5 million. Though, technically, that deal is just not official but, and the Mets may again out of it.
Sasaki can formally signal starting on Jan. 15 and his window to signal closes on Jan. 23.
Original Post – Dec. 18 at 16:10
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are formally on, with the Japanese flamethrower scheduled to satisfy with the Yankees “quickly,” based on GM Brian Cashman. The Yankees’ long-time GM informed reporters throughout their press convention to introduce just lately signed lefty Max Fried.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sasaki was formally posted eight days in the past, however can’t signal with a staff till the brand new MLB worldwide signing interval begins on January fifteenth. Starting on that day, he can signal with any staff till the posting window closes on January twenty third.
The 23-year-old beginning pitcher will seemingly be essentially the most sought-after free agent this offseason, along with his value level being restricted to simply over $7.5 million a 12 months for eight small market groups, and the max is $6,261,600 for the Yankees and Mets. As a world beginner, he can solely signal a minor league contract that’s topic to worldwide signing bonus swimming pools.
Sasaki went 29-15 with a 2.10 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 4 seasons within the NPB, with a fastball within the triple digits. He made waves pitching for Team Japan within the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“Whoever will get him goes to have a really gifted younger pitcher going ahead,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns mentioned earlier this offseason, professing his staff’s curiosity, “We’re definitely going to present it our greatest shot.”
Sasaki will meet with the Bronx Bombers in California.
