Roki Sasaki officially able to sign with MLB team today
The Toronto Blue Jays hope to shed perennial runnerup status and sign Japanese star Roki Sasaki. While Sasaki is officially eligible to sign as of today, he could wait another few days in order to give teams the opportunity to trade for additional dollars in their bonus pool. Sasaki must sign by Jan. 23, when his posting window comes to a close.
The 2025 signing period for international amateurs has begun and will remain open until December 15.
Teams have set bonus pools ranging from $7,555,500 to $4,146,200 for the upcoming period that they can allocate however they see fit - including trading bonus allotments in $250K increments. A team can only acquire a maximum of 60% of its originally allotted pool.
The most highly-regarded prospects in the class have had handshake agreements in place with MLB clubs for years before they were old enough to sign, so for many players at the top of the class their destination is already known.
Compared to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the Toronto Blue Jays appear to be a dark horse candidate.
A connection between Sasaki and the club was first made on Monday, when he met with the club in Toronto.
The Blue Jays have long sought to court top talents in free agency, including a pursuit of Ohtani last winter where they were generally acknowledged to have finished as the runner-up for the MVP's services.
Though the Blue Jays aren't as well set-up for success as the Dodgers and Padres, having finished fifth in a crowded AL East just last year.
Toronto could offer Sasaki the opportunity to be the face of the franchise in a way that more star-studded teams in L.A. and San Diego cannot, particularly if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ultimately signs elsewhere in free agency next winter.
What's more, the Blue Jays have the same $6,261,600 bonus pool the Padres have and therefore could outbid the Dodgers financially.
A battle-worn Blue Jays fan couldn't blamed for simply waiting for the inevitable at this point.
It wouldn't be the first time they've been left at the altar.
But maybe, just maybe, they'll be the club that catches a break this time.
And what a big break it would be, there's actually a very plausible reality in which Sasaki turns out to be a more advantageous signing than Ohtani when all facets are considered.
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