MLB Teams in Limbo as Roki Sasaki Decision Looms

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The impending decision of Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, leaving at least half a dozen teams in limbo as the international signing period approaches on Jan. 15. Sasaki, one of the most sought-after international prospects in recent memory, has yet to inform clubs of his preferred destination, creating a ripple effect that could reshape multiple teams’ 2025 signing classes.

To secure Sasaki, teams will likely need to allocate their entire international bonus pool—and potentially trade for additional funds. However, many clubs have already committed significant portions of their pools to other players, often years in advance. Signing Sasaki would require backing out of those deals, a risky move that could leave teams empty-handed if they fail to land the star pitcher.

“It’s a spot that no player, trainer, or team wants to be in,” said one MLB executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The uncertainty is causing chaos.”

One such casualty of the Sasaki sweepstakes is Dominican shortstop Darell Morel, who was initially set to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers potentially in the running for Sasaki, Morel has instead agreed to a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates worth nearly $1.8 million—double what he would have received from Los Angeles.

As the Jan. 15 deadline nears, trainers and players are scrambling to adjust. Some trainers are preparing their players for tryouts with other teams, while others are considering breaking existing deals if their players don’t sign on the opening day. “It’s unprecedented,” said a trainer based in the Dominican Republic. “Everyone is making contingency plans.”

Teams are also feeling the pressure. Ownership and front-office executives, rather than international scouting departments, are driving the decision to hold off on signings in pursuit of Sasaki. This has created tension within organizations, as scouts who have built relationships with trainers and players are left in the dark about their teams’ plans.

The stakes are high. Teams that delay signings in hopes of landing Sasaki risk losing their top commits to other clubs. Meanwhile, Sasaki’s indecision has created a volatile market, with some players receiving higher offers than originally anticipated. “It’s a gamble,” said another MLB executive. “But for a talent like Sasaki, it might be worth it.”

As the clock ticks down to Jan. 15, the baseball world waits anxiously for Sasaki’s decision—a move that could reshape the future of multiple franchises.