With less than a month until pitchers and catchers begin reporting for spring training, here are three things we’ll be watching for today in the world of baseball:
1. Open during the international signing period:
The 2025 signing period for international amateur players has begun and will run until December 15th. –Includes trading bonus allocations in $250,000 increments. (A team, however, can only receive up to 60 percent of its initial allocation pool.) The most highly regarded prospects in this category sign multi-year handshake deals with MLB clubs before they reach signing age, so for many in the The top players in the class already know their destination. Dominican shortstop one of top prospects Josuel Gonzalez (tied with the Giants), Venezuelan-American shortstop/outfielder Andrew Salas (tied with Marlins), Dominican shortstop Alien Pena (associated with the Mets) and Cuban outfielder Kevin Alvarez (Astros related).
2. Sasaki is officially eligible to sign:
Of course, right-handers exist Riki SaakiAppointed last month by the NPB Chiba Rakuten Marine Corps as the main destructive force at the current international level. Sasaki, 23, is considered one of the most talented pitchers in the world and already has four years of NPB experience. Unlike the typical teenage prospect who makes his way to the major leagues through the international amateur system, Sasaki is considered major league ready and could become a rotation starter in his first year. Whoever ends up signing Sasaki will likely use most, if not all, of the bonus pool to do so, which could force their more traditional international prospects to look for deals elsewhere.
He recently narrowed down potential landing spots to three finalists: the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays. A poll of MLBTR readers yesterday showed a majority of fans want him to sign in Los Angeles, with nearly 52% voting for the Dodgers. As of this writing, the Padres have received 33% of the vote. Toronto lags behind at 15 per cent. While Sasaki is officially eligible to sign today, he could wait a few more days to give teams a chance to trade extra dollars in the bonus pool. Sasaki has until Jan. 23 to sign, when his publishing window is about to end.
3. Burns Reporter Today:
Diamondbacks to officially add right-hander corbyn burns At a press conference scheduled to be held at 1 pm local time today. Burns surprised the baseball world last month by signing a six-year, $210MM guarantee with Arizona State after weeks of rumors linking him to the Giants and Blue Jays. He’s almost universally rated as the best pitcher on the free-agent market this winter (except maybe Sasaki) and should give the Snakes one of the strongest rotations in baseball, adding Zach Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguezand Brandon Pfatt (Maybe Jordan Montgomeryhad he not been traded). In addition to Burns himself, principal owner Ken Kendrick and general manager Mike Hazen will be in attendance at today’s press conference.
