The Baltimore Orioles could find a long-term solution for their pitching rotation if they secure Japan’s latest pitching sensation.

Roki Sasaki: This offseason, conversations around the Orioles will largely focus on pitching. As they anticipate losing free agent Corbin Burnes, they’ll need to figure out how to address his potential absence. Options include signing a few experienced players to round out the back end of their rotation, as they have done in the past, or going after another high-profile arm, though likely one with a deal that’s not as large as what an ace might expect.

Trading is always an option, but with the talent that General Manager Mike Elias has sent out recently, he may not be eager to part with more of his top prospects.

However, there is another intriguing option

Jeff Passan reported that Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines will officially post their brilliant starting pitcher, Roki Sasaki, this winter. All 30 MLB teams could pursue the 23-year-old Japanese megastar, who scouts believe is one of the world’s most talented players.

But if the Orioles aren’t planning to spend the big bucks to re-sign Burnes, why would they pay for an international pitcher of this caliber who also comes with a posting fee?

Well, here’s where things get interesting

Because of Sasaki’s age, he would only be eligible to sign a minor league contract as an international free agent, significantly reducing his cost from hundreds of millions to under $10 million.

Remember, Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels on a $2.315 million signing bonus.

Not only does this figure align perfectly with Baltimore’s budget, but Roki Sasaki could step right in as a potential ace for the future.

His talent is already legendary in Japan, with highlights including a 12-inning, 21-strikeout, 194-pitch complete game in high school and a perfect game with 19 strikeouts at age 20 for Lotte.

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Signing Roki Sasaki would undoubtedly be a long shot, as only two Japanese players have been in the franchise’s history. However, he’s someone Elias and his front office should consider now that he’ll be officially posted.

International amateur bonus pools are limited, with top-tier teams able to spend slightly over $7.1 million this year, while large-market, high-spending teams have a $4.6 million cap, with others somewhere in between. Teams can increase their allotted pool by up to 60% by trading for bonus-pool money. Most teams have already spent much of their 2024 bonus pool, with the international free agent signing period running annually from January 15 to December 15. If Sasaki’s official posting is delayed until mid-December—which typically takes weeks to finalize—he could sign when the 2025 international period begins on January 15. Although most teams have already made commitments to players for that period, with top pools around $7.5 million and lower ones around $5.1 million, they could trade for more bonus space or free up money by not honoring non-binding commitments made to teenagers in Latin American countries, a rare but not unheard-of practice.

Teams will make every effort to persuade Roki Sasaki to sign, given his level of talent

Sasaki first emerged as a national star in Japan during Koshien, the high school baseball tournament that’s one of the country’s largest annual sports events. Over eight days, he threw more than 500 pitches, including a 12-inning, 21-strikeout, 194-pitch complete game.

In 2022, at age 20, Sasaki threw a perfect game with 19 strikeouts for Lotte, then followed it up with eight more perfect innings in his next start before being pulled. His blazing fastball, averaging 100.5 mph, captured international attention during Japan’s semifinal match against Mexico in the 2023 World Sports Baseball Classic. While Lotte declined his request to move to MLB after the 2023 season, the inevitability of his departure has only grown.

Sasaki didn’t sign his 2024 contract until January, just before Lotte’s spring training began—a rarity for players holding off that long. This episode, after a 10-5 season with a 2.35 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 32 walks, and two home runs over 111 innings, was a telling sign of what’s to come.