The Orioles can still land international sensation Roki Sasaki - here's how

On April 10, 2022 a 20 year old Roki Sasaki burst onto the international scene when he pitched a perfect game for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's NPB. During that game, Sasaki tied an NPB record by striking out 19 hitters with a dominating fastball that touched 102mph, and a wipeout splitter that kept hitters baffled.

If that weren't impressive enough, Sasaki nearly duplicated that feat in his next start just one week later. On April 17 he struck out 14 hitters through eight perfect innings before being removed from the game after throwing 102 pitches. Sasaki may not have completed a second consecutive perfect game, but he did solidify himself as one of the most exciting pitchers in baseball.

Two and a half years later, American baseball fans are hoping they will get to see Sasaki up close as he has announced his intention to play in MLB. Unlike Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga, who both signed large contracts as free agents coming from Japan last offseason, Sasaki, due to his age, will be posted by his current Japanese team.

The contract he signs will be restricted to the bonus pool money that each MLB team gets every season. Initially it was expected that Sasaki would sign with either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Baltimore Orioles as those two teams had the most remaining bonus pool money in 2024. However, recent reports have stated that Sasaki will wait until the bonus pool money resets after December 2 and won't sign with a team before January 2025.

Here's how the Orioles can land Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki

While this does create a lot more competition, it in no way eliminates the Orioles as a potential landing spot. Baltimore still has the second most bonus pool money that they can offer Sasaki at just shy of $7 million, but there are eight teams that can offer just north of $7.5 million. If any team wants to offer more than that, they can accrue up to an additional 60% over their preset bonus pool through trades. With the financial playing field somewhat leveled off, it will take more than money to sign this young phenom.

Baltimore could be a great place for Sasaki to continue to develop. The Orioles have put together very good pitching staffs the last two seasons and developed pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish. Sasaki is only 23 years old and still has a lot of developing to do. His 2024 numbers were very good but his 2.35 ERA and five losses were both career worsts. Being able to work alongside, and have a friendly competition with, a similar pitcher like GrayRod can go a long way in helping a player.

Sasaki would also be given the opportunity to pitch to one of the best catchers in baseball in Adley Rutschman. A smart catcher that a pitcher can trust to call a great game and block just about anything he throws will allow the young Sasaki to relax on the mound and just pitch. Not to mention Samuel Basallo, who will likely debut in 2025.

Additionally, Baltimore is one of the most exciting young teams, and if Sasaki were to come to Baltimore he could get in on the ground level of what has the potential to be a dynasty. In Baltimore, Sasaki would surround himself with a very talented team that is on the cusp of greatness. To top it all off, the Orioles have a brand new ownership group that is looking to make their mark. They are limited in what they can offer Sasaki for his initial signing but once he is signed they will be able to offer him a fair market value when he starts looking for an extension. Coming to Baltimore would allow Sasaki to be great right now, win right now, and continue to do both for the foreseeable future.