The San Diego Padres are in "strong position" to land Chiba Lotte Marines starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, per reporter Francys Romero. MLB commissioner

The Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB have been waiting with bated breath for the Chiba Lotte Marines to officially post Roki Sasaki ever since the Nippon Professional Baseball team announced their intention to do so this offseason.

One of the most exciting names that has yet to enter the free agent frenzy is Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. The right-hander is expected to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines before December 15th, meaning that Sasaki will be part of the 2025 international free agent class when the period opens on January 15th.

Highly-coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki likely won’t sign until at least January 15 during the 2025 international signing period, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe called rumors of a handshake deal with the Dodgers are "poor sportsmanship.

Roki Sasaki is among the top available pitchers in MLB free agency. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Sasaki, but baseball/sports reporter Francys Romero recently s

Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki's MLB free agency might end up being a total crapshoot. At just 23, Sasaki is coming to MLB as an amateur free agent, which will keep him from making anything close to what he would've if he'd waited until he was 25.