It's 'Bul-Watching Across the Sea' but the clubs that will run like hot cakes whenever they come, Sasaki ESPN ranked second. Why?
Nov 06, 2024
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Chiba Lotte Marines right-hander Roki Sasaki, the best fire bowler in Japanese professional baseball, is hitting the Major League offseason. While Chiba Lotte has yet to allow him to enter the U.S., he is considered a top-class pitcher in the FA rankings.
ESPN placed Sasaki in the second place after Juan Soto in the "Top 50 FA's Expected Contract" corner on the 6th (Korea Standard Time). He beat Corbin Burns (3rd), Max Fried (6th), and Blake Snell (8th), the top-class starting pitchers in the Major League Baseball.
In addition, it is an unconventional evaluation in that he has never passed the regular innings in the NPB, and suffered injuries and reduced restraint this season, causing great concern in 'Durability'. Of course, Chiba Lotte's approval has not yet fallen, so it is still unclear whether he will actually stand on the Major League mound next year.
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Sasaki insists on crossing the Pacific Ocean this offseason, while Chiba Lotte is likely to hold off on approval due to his lack of team contribution and young age, just like a year ago. According to local media, Sasaki recently said 'I will not accept Chiba Lotte's offer next season'
In any case, it seems clear that Major League clubs, who are looking at the other side of the sea as if they are not looking at it, are on the verge of rushing in as soon as the posting decision is made.
However, if Sasaki wants to advance to the Major League this time, he has to give up the jackpot. Under the U.S.-Japan player contract agreement, players under the age of 25 as of next year's opening game must sign a minor league contract. In other words, there is no choice but to receive a Sining Bonus within the international bonus pool set for each club. For example, Shohei Ohtani signed a minor league contract for $2.3 million as a 23-year-old when he joined the Los Angeles Angels through posting in December 2017. Of course, his subsequent performances and big hits are well known facts.
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The media then said 'Unfortunately, the Dodgers are the club with $2.5 million left in international bonus pool. The Dodgers, which recruited Yoshinobu Ohtani and Yamamoko last year, said they want to hold Sasaki in their arms 'However, there are several variables this time. Sasaki prefers small markets and restrictions have decreased this year. Scouts believe the injury is to blame, and yet Major League Baseball clubs will bet on him, who has shown his best skills as an elite pitcher over the past few years.
Like Ohtani's crossing of the Pacific Ocean seven years ago, Sasaki is evaluated as being worth a total of $200 million if he is a full FA. But I can't make money right now. ESPN said it could reward Sasaki just as the gamble rewarded Ohtani. Or wait for two off-seasons like Yamamoto and come and you'll get a bigger amount of money upfront,' he added.
In other words, if you sign a megaton-class contract with six years of major league experience, not immediately like Ohtani, or if you knock on the major league door after filling the age of 25 like Yamamoto, you can hit the jackpot.
Sasaki pitched 111 innings in 18 appearances this season, going 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts. The ERA is the worst since debuting in 2021.
jhno@sportschosun.com
