Sasaki's wish list down to four clubs. Who's in, who's out?
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With the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes in the home stretch, it appears the Japanese phenom has started to narrow down his choices.
A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Monday that the Yankees have been informed that Sasaki will not be signing with them.
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The Giants have also been informed that they are no longer in consideration for the coveted hurler, San Francisco general manager Zack Minasian told reporters on Monday.
According to multiple reports, Sasaki is not expected to sign with the Mets, either. The Rangers are also out of the running, a source told MLB.com's Kennedi Landry.
Those four clubs are among the eight teams known to have met in person with Sasaki, who was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Dec. 9.
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Sasaki also met with the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs and Blue Jays. His highly anticipated decision could come soon after the 2025 international amateur signing period begins on Wednesday.
At 23 years old, Sasaki is subject to international bonus pool money restrictions, which are placed on foreign-born players unless they are at least 25 years of age and have played as a professional in a foreign league recognized by Major League Baseball for a minimum of six seasons. The MLB team that ends up signing him will have him under club control for six years before he will be eligible to test unrestricted free agency.
If Sasaki doesn't have a deal in place by the time his negotiating window closes on Jan. 23, he will return to the Marines for the 2025 season.