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:探検する)
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
神村学園、魔法の言葉「やかぜ」誕生秘話 05年センバツ準V1期生から続く…22年にベリーグッドマンが楽曲化
【巨人】勝利投手のバルドナード、岸田の三振ゲッツー盗塁阻止に感謝「素晴らしいプレーでした」
桂ざこばさんの酒絡みの逸話披露 池乃めだかとなるみがお別れ会で爆笑スピーチ 親族も笑顔に
「名探偵コナン」明日放送の「乱歩邸殺人事件」PV、乱歩邸を訪れたコナンが大喜び(動画あり)
浅野翔吾をスターに…代打送らなかった巨人・阿部監督の期待に応えた同点二塁打「落ち球の変化球を狙っていました」
尊富士「じょっぱり」精神で十両から再起誓う「また幕内優勝したい」
TVアニメ「天穂のサクナヒメ」続編制作決定、相馬紹二Pも喜びのコメント