Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe, NPB’s star agent Roki Sasakitells SNY’s Andy Martino that “market size isn’t a factor either way” in a player’s decision. At the Winter Meetings, the agent decided that Sasaki might prefer to go to a smaller market after clashing with members of the media in Japan. However, Wolfe insisted at the time that that was his opinion and that he and Sasaki were not to discuss the matter in depth. It seems that the jar does not give that weight.
Sasaki has held preliminary meetings with at least seven teams, most of them big-market franchises. Previous reports indicated that he met with the Dodgers, Rangers, Yankees, Mets and Cubs. The Giants are believed to get a meeting with them. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports today that the Padres were offered another meeting during Sasaki’s trip to the US earlier this month.
Wolfe met with various reporters (including Tim Healey of Newsday and Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register) this evening to provide details on the process. He pointed out that all of the people’s meetings took place at Wasserman’s offices in Los Angeles. Wolfe declined to specify how many parties are involved. He said 20 clubs have sent initial presentations via PowerPoint, video or letters to show interest.
It seems that each meeting followed certain goals. According to Wolfe, Sasaki specifically requested that teams not bring players. And he limited each interview to the same amount of time (less than two hours), apparently to keep each group on an equal footing. As planned, Sasaki then returned to Japan for the holidays.
It is not clear whether there are any groups other than these seven that have been reported to have met with Sasaki. Tigers president of baseball Scott Harris said last week Detroit made the first pitch, although as of Friday, they had not heard if they would get the meeting. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said this morning that Boston is in a similar situation (reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe).
Wolfe didn’t close the door on giving another team or two the first floor, though the agent indicated they’ll soon begin narrowing the field (via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo). Sasaki hasn’t visited any of the team’s cities – aside from his stay in LA because Wasserman’s headquarters are there – but he may do so after the New Year.
The international free agent signing period opens on January 15. That’s the date Sasaki becomes eligible to sign. His 45-day posting window begins on January 23. Wolfe indicated that Sasaki may not have made a decision on the opening of the signing window and may still be able to return items until the posting deadline. Although the agent did not highlight this as a reason, that would give MLB teams more than a week to trade for international signing bonus shares that would increase what they can offer Sasaki. Teams can receive up to 60% of the initial value of their various bonus pools. The teams have different starting water allotments, all of which sit between $5.1462MM and $7.5555MM.
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