• Rōki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese star pitcher, has narrowed his potential MLB signing teams.
• The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers have officially dropped out of the race for Sasaki's services.
• San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are now considered the main contenders for Sasaki.
• Sasaki's signing window opens on January 18 and closes on January 23, allowing teams to negotiate for the young ace.
• His agent has indicated that Sasaki may not add more teams to the list of potential signings.

With the clock ticking on the signing window for Rōki Sasaki, the landscape of Major League Baseball (MLB) teams vying for his attention has begun to take shape. As of January 18, teams such as the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers have been informed that Sasaki will not be signing with them, significantly narrowing the field for the highly-coveted player. Denying interest from two major franchises, the likely frontrunners now appear to be the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.

As reported, the Yankees' YES Network confirmed their absence from the Sasaki sweepstakes first, followed by sources indicating the Rangers would not secure his services either. The San Francisco Giants, previously in contention, also received the same notification. With the signing window running from January 18 until January 23, teams are gearing up for a bidding war centered around the talented Japanese right-hander, known for his exceptional pitching speed.

With a remarkable 2.10 ERA over four seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Sasaki has become a highly sought-after asset. He achieved a 2.35 ERA last year, showcasing his extraordinary skills, including a fastball that can exceed 100 mph. According to recent statements from his agent, Joel Wolfe, Sasaki had met with the Mets, Cubs, and Giants before the final decision, but it seems his signing options have now dwindled to the Dodgers and Padres, each with an established roster ready to support his transition to MLB.

As teams put the pressure on beginning Wednesday, with the potential to increase their signing pools via trades, all eyes will be on where this Japanese ace eventually lands. “He is definitely driving the ship,” Wolfe noted, indicating that Sasaki is taking a decisive role in choosing his future in professional baseball.

For further details, check out the reports from AP News and USA Today.