THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 9, 2024 at 17:52 JST
Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches during their Pool B game against the Czech Republic at the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 11, 2023. (AP file photo)
CHIBA--Japanese ace Roki Sasaki will be available to Major League Baseball teams this offseason.
The Chiba Lotte Marines announced Saturday they have chosen to start the process of moving the pitcher to a big league club in North America via the posting system.
The right-hander, who turned 23 this month, is expected to become one of the most sought-after pitchers on the open market. He went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games this year, striking out 129 hitters in 111 innings.
Because he is younger than 25, Sasaki will be classified as an international amateur free agent subject to international bonus pool limits, according to MLB rules. That means his first contract would be a minor league deal no larger than seven figures.
The Marines will receive a percentage fee for posting him, with the amount determined by the size of his contract.
It's unclear yet when Sasaki will officially be posted, starting the 45-day clock for him to sign with a major league club.
Sasaki helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His fastball has been clocked at 102.5 mph, and he had a 29-15 career record with a 2.10 ERA over four injury-shortened seasons with the Marines. He pitched a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes in April 2022.
“Since I joined the team, the team has been listening to my thoughts about my future MLB challenge, and I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post," Sasaki said in a statement posted by the Marines on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
"There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans. I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me this time.”
(责任编辑:集中)
大田泰示、現役引退を決断…DeNA戦力外34歳 NPB他球団からオファー届かず 巨人 、日本ハム経てプロ16年
町田に緊急事態 日本代表DF中山雄太、DF昌子源が福岡戦の前半に負傷 両センターバックが途中交代
菅楓華は最終18番ボギーで2打差2位で最終日へ 逆転へ「気持ちを切り替えていきたい」
別人 !?田代まさしさん68歳 現在の姿が衝撃「マーシー…」検査は「もちろん陰性」
2本のバットを比べて分かる、プロ1年目の劇的ビフォーアフター 巨人育成19歳の胸に息づく“梶谷の教え”
錦織圭、完売で満員の観客の前で、デビス杯8年ぶりの勝利に「うれしいですね」
錦織圭、完売で満員の観客の前で、デビス杯8年ぶりの勝利に「うれしいですね」
21年京成杯オータムハンデ覇者のカテドラルが競走馬登録抹消 今後は珠洲ホースパークで乗馬へ
「モーニングショー」玉川徹氏 、「人付き合いのコツ」特集で「写真誌」へ苦言「写真撮られて…『この野郎』とか思うところある」
ジェイコブ・デグロム1年5か月ぶり登板は4回途中無失点 最速は159キロ