Marlins not among finalists to sign Japanese star Roki Sasaki

[Ely Sussman]

The most coveted international amateur free agent since Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki is reportedly deciding between the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.

You will likely have an opportunity to watch Japanese fire-baller Roki Sasaki pitch at loanDepot park this season, but he'll be doing so as a Marlins opponent. Several reporters, including ESPN's Jeff Passan, have identified the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and (somewhat surprisingly) Toronto Blue Jays as finalists to sign the 23-year-old right-hander. Sasaki's deadline to finalize a deal is a week from Thursday.

As detailed way back in November, Sasaki is the rare major league-ready, All-Star-caliber free agent that the Marlins could have actually afforded. Due to his age, Major League Baseball classifies him as an international amateur, limiting his earnings to what teams have available in their 2025 international bonus pools. The Marlins have $7,555,500 in their pool, tied for the largest among all MLB teams during the signing period that officially opens on Wednesday. Alas, there is no indication that they had the recruiting appeal to even get a meeting with him during this process.

Sasaki pitched in Miami during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, representing his native Japan (the eventual tournament champions). The Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays each visit loanDepot park for a series in 2025 during May, July and August, respectively.

The vast majority of the Marlins' bonus pool has instead been committed to a more traditional sort of international free agent: projectable teenagers from Latin America. They're expected to announce more than a dozen signings on Wednesday, including Venezuelan outfielder/infielder Andrew Salas ($3.7 million bonus), Dominican right-hander Kevin Defrank ($560,000) and Dominican infielder Anthony Abreu ($550,000). Fish On First will be bringing you detailed coverage of those additions to the organization.

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[2qbn]

I didn't think the Marlins were ever really considered. It would have been pretty cool, though. Maybe add some much needed juice to this sleepy off-season. ;)

[rurrusuno]

Even if the Marlins were aggressive in pursuing Roki Sasaki, I’m sure he wouldn’t have wanted to come here.

Could you imagine a trio of starting pitching in LA of Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki? That would be one heck of a scary series having to face those guys over a 3-game stretch. 
 

However, I don’t think he’ll end up going there since they don’t need him the most. Instead, I think he’ll land in SD and join another friend/mentor in Yu Darvish. 

[TheMadRussian]

I hope they at least made an attempt to get him even though I would bet his agent would not even return the call.  You have to go through the motions as if you would get him or show that you want to get quality talent.

[One Regend]

Even if we landed him, it wouldn't help us much. He would elevate this team from 110 losses to 106. And he'd likely be a free agent before we're good again. There's really not much more to say.

[BMK3]

Oh WOW.  Who would have bet on that?