Roki Sasaki’s Free Agency Sparks Chaos in MLB International Signings

Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation, has yet to decide which Major League Baseball team he will join, but his impending signing has already caused significant upheaval in the league’s international signing landscape. As teams scramble to free up bonus pool money to accommodate Sasaki, prearranged deals with young international prospects are being upended, creating uncertainty and tension across the league.

Under MLB‘s international signing rules, Sasaki is classified as an international free agent, meaning teams must use their allocated bonus pool money to sign him. Each team has a limited amount of such funds, often committed years in advance to young players as young as 13 or 14. To sign Sasaki, teams must either trade for additional pool money or back out of existing agreements, a risky move that could leave them empty-handed if Sasaki chooses another club.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the frontrunners to sign Sasaki, have already released two top prospects from their 2025 international signing class. Shortstop Darell Morel, who was set to sign with the Dodgers for approximately $900,000, has instead agreed to a $1.8 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outfielder Orlando Patino, another Dodgers commit, is also reportedly seeking a new team as Los Angeles clears space for Sasaki.

“It’s a no-brainer to go after Sasaki given his talent, but the ripple effects are massive,” said one MLB executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Teams are in a tough spot because they don’t want to lose their top prospects, but they also can’t afford to miss out on a generational talent like Sasaki.”

At least half a dozen teams are still in the running for Sasaki, leaving their 2025 international signing classes in limbo. The uncertainty has forced trainers and players to prepare for last-minute tryouts and contingency plans. Some players are receiving higher offers from other teams as clubs with uncommitted bonus pool money look to capitalize on the chaos.

For teams that fail to sign Sasaki, the fallout could be severe. “If you hold off on your signings, lose your top commits, and then don’t get Sasaki, it’s a worst-case scenario,” said another league source. “But the potential reward is too great to ignore.”

As the January 15 international signing period approaches, the pressure is mounting. Teams are making difficult decisions, often at the direction of ownership or top executives, while scouts on the ground work to maintain relationships with trainers and players. The situation has created unprecedented volatility in the international market, with Sasaki’s decision—or lack thereof—casting a long shadow over the offseason.