Cleveland Sports Forum

In recognition of his outstanding performance in 2023 with the WhiteSox and particularly the Angels and Guardians Lucas Giolito has earned a two year $38.5 million deal with the RedSox.
He did start out the year OK with the WhiteSox but by the end of the season he had earned historical recognition as the first pitcher to allow 8 or more runs in a game for three different teams since 1899.
Even with Chicago he gave up 20 homers in 121 innings; then 10 in 33 innings with the Angels and 11 in 31 for the G's.
Of course in Fenway he shouldn't need to worry about homeruns.

The Los Angeles Angels’ first post-Shohei Ohtani starter signing is definitely an interesting one.

Robert Murray of FanSided reported Saturday that the Angels have reached an agreement to sign free-agent pitcher Zach Plesac. The 28-year-old Plesac is getting a major-league contract from the Angels, Murray adds.

Plesac is well-known name but not necessarily for the best reasons. He is coming off a calamity of a 2023 season with the Cleveland Guardians where he posted a 7.59 ERA in five starts before getting optioned to Triple-A in May and then designated for assignment in June.

"Sifting through the trash": Angels fans unimpressed as team signs Zach Plesac to a major-league contract.

Kinda like the headline.

Shota Imanaga


Dodgers Don't Stop.

They seek to add another star from Japan.

HOME - MLB - LOS ANGELES DODGERS

ZACHARY D. RYMER

Dec 31, 2023

[ The Dodgers had already made sure of that with their history-upending $700 million contract with Shohei Ohtani, and now they've signed the other best player on the free agent market.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto may not be another two-way superstar in the mold of his Japanese countryman, but the Dodgers are clearly big believers in the 25-year-old's right arm. Otherwise, they wouldn't have signed him for a pitcher-record 12-year, $325 million contract.

Factoring in their post-trade $136.5 million extension with right-hander Tyler Glasnow and $17 million worth of deals to retain outfielder Jason Heyward and reliever Joe Kelly, the Dodgers have added just south of $1.2 billion dollars to their books.

Assuming the idea is to construct a team that will have more than just Dodgers fans tuning in, it doesn't seem too early to declare the mission accomplished. ]

CBS Sports

By R.J. Anderson

It's no secret that Japanese pitchers have dominated Major League Baseball's offseason. First, it was two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. Then came Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has since joined Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Roki Sasaki grabbed his share of headlines because of his rumored desire to bring his talents across the Pacific Ocean as soon as possible.

While Sasaki's arrival date is yet to be determined -- it could be next winter, or not for a while -- the same is not true for longtime Yokohama DeNA BayStars left-hander Shota Imanaga, who has been overlooked on the public front as he closes in on the Jan. 11 deadline of his posting window.

Rest assured that Imanaga is a known quantity to MLB front offices. A number of teams' interest in him has been bruited about, ranging from the New York Yankees to the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants. Entering the offseason, CBS Sports considered Imanaga to be the winter's 42nd best free agent. That rank appears to have undersold Imanaga's market, with ESPN's Jeff Passan reporting earlier this month that he could fetch a nine-figure deal. (Imanaga, 30, is not subject to MLB's wage-suppressing rules for younger international players.)

Just who is Imanaga and what makes him interesting? Below, we've highlighted three other things worth knowing about him and his game.

1. Impressive track record

Imanaga may lack Ohtani's starpower, Yamamoto's accolades, and Sasaki's intrigue, but that doesn't mean he's some tomato can. Rather, he's a highly accomplished pitcher who scouts have tabbed as a mid-rotation type in MLB.

Across eight seasons in NPB, the world's second-best league, Imanaga amassed a 2.96 ERA and struck out more than 26% of the batters he faced. (He even led the Central League in strikeouts last season.) He made two All-Star Games and he threw a no-hitter against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2022.

Imanaga has also represented Japan in international competition. Those who watched the World Baseball Classic final last spring may recall seeing him strike out a pair in two innings of work against the American squad.

2. Intriguing profile

Despite Imanaga's strikeout tendencies in Japan, he's not going to blow anyone away with pure velocity on this side of the Pacific. His fastball averaged just 92 mph last season, according to data obtained by CBS Sports. For reference, MLB lefties averaged 93.2 mph on their four-seamers in 2023.

Imanaga's heater has nevertheless remained his primary offering because of the pitch's innate "rising" action. He'll be at home in that regard in MLB, with teams flocking in recent years to pitchers who can elevate their fastballs.

When Imanaga wants to change the pace, he usually turns to a low-80s slider that generated almost 40% whiffs last season. For context's sake, that percentage would have ranked him in the top 10 among left-handed starters who threw at least 100 sliders during the 2023 campaign -- and ahead of the likes of Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw, among other accomplished veterans.

Imanaga does possess a number of other pitches, but those two offerings -- the carrying fastball and the slider -- combined for a 75% usage rate. It's possible that his future MLB employer will ask him to alter his pitch mix. Imanaga's splitter, for example, generated nearly 50% whiffs despite being thrown fewer than 150 times across his 24 appearances in 2023.

3. Some transferability concerns

Every incoming NPB pitcher has to adjust to MLB's baseball (the NPB ball provides a better natural grip) and schedule (NPB pitchers start once a week). Beyond those general concerns, evaluators who have spoken to CBS Sports have expressed reservations about other parts of Imanaga's game.

Foremost, Imanaga is unlikely to be a workhorse type. He's never thrown more than 170 innings in a season, and he's averaged about 155 frames over the last three years. Yamamoto, working on the same schedule over the same three-year timeframe, averaged 186 innings per pop.

We will note that New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga delivered 166 innings in his "rookie" MLB season -- and that was despite having previously failed to reliably clear 150 innings in Japan. Senga's initial workload suggests that Imanaga isn't necessarily doomed to a relatively low innings count.

Imanaga is also a big-time fly-ball pitcher, with only 35% of his batted balls earning a "ground ball" classification. That rate would have landed Imanaga in the bottom five of the majors among qualified pitchers, giving some scouts pause about how he may fit in more hitter-friendly ballparks.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that there are some potential blemishes to Imanaga's game. After all, that's usually the case for mid-rotation starters -- otherwise, they wouldn't be labeled mid-rotation starters in the first place.

Even with those negatives in tow, Imanaga has enough going for him to envision him serving as a quality contributor in someone's rotation. Expect to hear more about him over the coming weeks, even if he's remained in the shadows to date.

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Lucky for Plesac to get a major league contract. that was one really bad season he had last summer; worse in AAA than in the majors.

News and Notes for Saturday, January 6th, 2023

By Quincy Wheeler Jan 6, 2024, 7:58am EST

Michael Brantley has retired. One of the greatest players-to-be-named-later of all-time who put up 20 fWAR in parts of 10 years in Cleveland, he will always be celebrated here.

The Cardinals traded Richie Palacios to the Rays for Andrew Kittredge. Kittredge has been a solid reliever but very injured the past two years and 33 years old. Seems like he's still of more value than the cash considerations the Guardians got when they traded Palacios but the Guardians were constrained by a perpetual roster crunch.

The Wander Franco crime continues to get more awful and it was a terrible look to see Junior Caminero post support for Franco on his Instagram. Perhaps maturity issues may have played a part in his trade from Cleveland? Hopefully someone sits Caminero down and explains how terrible this situation is.

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Prosecutors accuse Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation

Additional money laundering charges stem from allegations that the Rays shortstop made payments to the minor’s mother.

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have accused Wander Franco of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, the Public Ministry said in a statement Wednesday night.

The Rays shortstop has been under investigation for over four months due to allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor, whose mother is facing the same charges, according to the statement.

Franco is scheduled to go in front of a judge for the first time in this case Friday at 8 a.m. ET.

In papers filed with the court, authorities asked that Franco, 22, be held on a bond equivalent to $86,000, be barred from leaving the country and be placed under house arrest.

“These measures requested by the Public Ministry seek to guarantee the integrity of the process,” the official statement said.

Franco, detained on Monday for ignoring a summons, remains in custody.

The money laundering charges stem from allegations that Franco made payments to the mother of the minor, according to an Associated Press report.

Prosecutors also are asking the judge to bar the mother of the minor from leaving the country and to be placed under house arrest.

Franco’s attorney, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to talk to the media, telling reporters only that Franco is doing fine. Authorities also have declined comment on the case outside of the official statement because it involves a minor. The legal age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18.

Now the prosecution’s case, including evidence, is in the hands of an investigative judge. This stage of the process is to determine if the case moves forward, and if that is the case whether Franco will be under restrictions, according to a report in Dominican newspaper Listin Diario.

At that time, the judge can release Franco on bond, continue to detain him temporarily, take measures to prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic and/or require that he make occasional appearances to authorities as the case and/or trial continues. The judge also could dismiss the case if there is not enough evidence to support it going forward.

After four months of quiet investigation, the investigation into Franco has moved quickly since Christmas.

On Dec. 26, two homes were searched as part of the Dominican Republic investigation: the home of Franco’s mother in the community of Palo Blanco in Baní and the home registered to Franco in Villa Real. Authorities also went to the homes of Franco’s uncles the next day. He was not found at any of the locations.

Word was left with Franco’s wife that he was to appear at the prosecutors’ office on Dec. 28.

Franco failed to show, and when he finally did appear — with a new set of lawyers — he was questioned for about three hours and detained. ESPN Deportes reported he was arrested for failing to comply with a summons.

Allegations against Franco first came to light publicly via social media on Aug. 13. Franco, who did not play in that day’s Rays game, seemed to deny them in a live video he broadcast on his Instagram channel. He has not spoken publicly since then.

Franco, who signed an 11-year deal worth $182 million in November 2021, did not play again last season. He initially agreed to take a one-week leave from the Rays as Major League Baseball investigated. He was then placed on administrative leave under the league and players union’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Dominican Republic authorities also confirmed they were investigating similar allegations.

MLB traditionally has waited for any legal investigation and/or prosecution to take place before deciding on possible discipline. The league, however, has served out suspensions under the policy even when there are no legal charges.

Franco, who is owed $2 million next season, was elected to his first All-Star team in July. He was hitting .281 with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs when his season was shut down.

The Rays have not commented on Franco’s case since August and distanced themselves from their one-time face of the franchise. The team removed advertising and merchandise featuring the shortstop from Tropicana Field.

With spring training beginning next month, the Rays have several infielders who can play shortstop. But top replacement Taylor Walls had offseason hip surgery, and his availability for the beginning of the season is in question.


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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been conditionally released amid an ongoing investigation into accusations that he engaged in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her 35-year-old mother thousands of dollars and a car for consent.

Per Martín Adames Alcántara and Dánica Coto of the Associated Press, court documents reveal that a Dominican judge has allowed Franco to leave the Dominican Republic but must return to the country once a month so he can meet with authorities.

"A judge has ruled that Wander Franco must post bail for 2 million Dominican pesos, about 35k dollars and present himself to court once a month for 6 months as part of the process against him. The mother of the minor in the center of the allegations who's accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundry was ordered to remain on House Arrest and can't leave the Dominican Republic."

According to ESPN's Juan Recio (h/t ESPN's Jeff Passan), there are three accusations that Franco, who turned 22 in March, engaged in relationships with minors.

The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18. Per Passan, "anyone over 18 who engages in a sexual relationship with someone younger than 18 can be charged criminally."

Recio provided more information on Dec. 28: "At least two people have filed legal action against Franco. He is also under investigation for allegedly having a relationship with a third minor, sources told ESPN, although there has been no formal complaint to authorities from the third girl."

The Rays placed Franco on the restricted list on August 14, and he has been on administrative leave since August 22. He has been away from the team since August 12, his last game with the Rays. MLB has been investigating Franco since social media posts alleged that he had a relationship with a minor, per TMZ Sports.

An investigation was opened in the Dominican Republic's National Agency for Boys, Girls, Adolescents and Family and Gender Violence Unit in August, per Alcántara. The first formal complaint was filed against Franco on July 17, per Passan.

The Dominican Republic's Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents issued a summons to Franco to address allegations of inappropriate relationships on Dec. 28.

Recio reported last week that Franco failed to appear after being summoned by the Dominican Republic's Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents.

Four days later, Franco spoke with authorities, and he was soon arrested for failing to appear for questioning, per the AP.

The AP provided more information on that front: "Franco, who was detained Monday in the northern province of Puerto Plata, hasn't been charged with any crimes. The judge has received a nearly 600-page document detailing the evidence that prosecutors gathered during a monthslong investigation."

On Wednesday, Dominican prosecutors asked a judge, Rumaldi Marcelino, to "hold Franco on an $86,000 bond, bar him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest," per the AP.

On Friday, the judge had these options, per the AP: "release Franco on bond, temporarily arrest him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or demand that he make occasional appearances until the investigation or a trial has ended."

The allegations against Franco in this specific court case revolve around an alleged four-month relationship that he had with a 14-year-old girl from Puerto Plata.

Per the AP:

"Authorities accuse Franco of taking the minor away from her home in Puerto Plata in December 2022 and having a four-month relationship with her with consent from the girl's mother.

"They accuse Franco of sending the mother monthly payments of $1,700 for seven months and buying her a car 'in order to allow the relationship and let her go out with him wherever she wanted' according to the document, which quoted the girl."

The AP also reported that authorities raided the girl's mother's home last September and seized the Dominican peso equivalent of $13,700 in American dollars. They were also reported to find the equivalent of $68,500 hidden behind a frame.

That's in addition to a another raid at a different home in which authorities reportedly found a guarantee certificate derived from a local bank for the equivalent of $36,000. Authorities allege that Franco delivered that certificate for the "commercial and sexual exploitation" of the girl.

Court documents also claim that authorities took a Suzuki Swift worth $26,600. The girl's mother also reportedly purchased a $36,000 property in Puerto Plata.

Franco, who was listed as baseball's top prospect in 2021, played in MLB for three seasons. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021 and made his first All-Star team in 2022.

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Baseball: Talks under way for 2025 MLB season opener in Tokyo

January 5, 2024 (Mainichi Japan)

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Major League Baseball is in talks with its Japanese counterpart on having an MLB season-opening series at Tokyo Dome in March 2025, Nippon Professional Baseball's commissioner said Friday.

"We are on track to hold the series, but it's undecided which teams are coming," said commissioner Sadayuki Sakakibara, a former chairman of the Japan Business Federation, known as Keidanren.

NPB is also considering having major league and Japanese teams play exhibition games at Es Con Field Hokkaido before or after the MLB season opener.

The Nippon Ham Fighters' Es Con Field Hokkaido opened last year. Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani played for the Fighters between 2013 and 2017.

The commissioners of MLB, NPB and the Korea Baseball Organization plan to hold a meeting in March in Seoul, where the Dodgers and San Diego Padres will open the season with a two-game set.

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Dodgers Reportedly Want Star Japanese Pitcher Roki Sasaki ‘No Matter What’

Ricardo Sandoval 01/04/2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers are stopping at nothing to improve their team for the present and future. L.A. is getting greedy, and although their focus is to win this season, they are also focused on another upcoming Japanese ace who could be posted as early as next off-season. According to Japanese baseball outlet, “ShoTime News,” the Dodgers will make a serious push to sign Japanese right-handed ace Roki Sasaki whenever he is posted.

The report says the Dodgers want the young Japanese pitcher “no matter what,” and that they’ve been scouting him since high school. The Dodgers also scouted Ohtani since his high school days.

Sasaki is just 22 years old and is in line to be the next great Japanese pitcher. If the report is true and the Dodgers are lucky enough to get him, Los Angeles will have three of arguably the best Japanese pitchers in baseball history.

Rosi Sasaki Scouting Report

Sasaki is currently with the Chiba Lotte Marines, a part of Nippon Professional Baseball, and has spent the last three seasons with them. In those three seasons, Sasaki has recorded incredible numbers, putting up a 2.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 376 strikeouts while only allowing 182 hits in 283.2 innings pitched and 36 games.

He also showed off his abilities in last year’s World Baseball Classic, recording a 102 mph strikeout against Randy Arozarena while facing Team Mexico. He allowed three earned runs in 7.2 innings while striking out 11 across two WBC starts.

When Will Roki Sasaki Be Posted?

Sasaki has tons of talent and the numbers to back it up, but right now, he is in a bit of a pickle. The 22-year-old has reportedly pushed his current team from the NPB to post him next off-season. However, if Sasaki is posted after the 2024 season, he will be considered an amateur free agent, and will have drastic financial limitations due to his age and lack of service time.

Ohtani had limitations when he entered MLB in 2017. Conversely, Yamamoto had no limitations, and was able to sign the largest deal in MLB history for a pitcher.

Sasaki will have to balance the financial limitations with the desire to play in MLB, and if he chooses to be posted after the 2024 off-season, the Dodgers are a perfect landing spot.

Sasaki would get to play in a rotation with his fellow Team Japan superstars Ohtani and Yamamoto, while the Dodgers would have a rotation with those three, Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller — imagine trying to get a hit against those guys.

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Shota Imanaga Free Agency Rumors: 2 teams appear to be 'final candidates' for left-handed pitcher, per report

By R. Nikhil Parshy

Modified Jan 07, 2024 06:36 GMT

Shota Imanaga is on his way to the MLB, and, as per reports, there are two teams that he has shortlisted. Following the norms set by his compatriots, Imanaga, too, has brought it down to two West coast teams - San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels.

Imanaga has had a successful career in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. He's a 2x All-Star and had a no-hitter in the 2022 season. The Japanese ace pitcher has a career ERA of 3.18 and a 64-50 record. He's coming off a strong season, becoming the Central League Strikeout champion.

As per the Sports Illustrated, the final list of candidates for the left-handed Japanese pitcher to be posted from the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars has come down to the Giants and the Angels.

Although the citation from the report remains Japanese news source, Sankei Sports, it's unclear whether San Francisco is still interested in landing Imanaga after they acquired Robby Ray the previous day.

The Angels, meanwhile, have been linked to every major ace pitcher this season. After the departure of Shohei Ohtani, they were left with no starter to lead an already faultering and below average rotation.

They are expected to be still in pursuit of NL Cy Young winner, Blake Snell, but in all probability, if they are unable to land him, Shota Imanaga remains an option.

Shota Imanaga's pitching style

Like most NPB pitchers making the continental switch, Shota Imanaga, too, has a developed four-pitch arsenal.

The Japanese ace packs a definite punch with his powerful fastball and has a healthy strikeout rate. However, along with it, he has a high percentage of home runs earned.

That makes him most suited to the Giants' Oracle Park, which is known to be a pitcher friendly ballpark. Even the Angel stadium has a long outfield.

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Red Sox Reportedly Have Told Clubs That All-Star Is Available For Trade

Boston reportedly could end up trading one of its top pitchers soon


PATRICK MCAVOY 1/7/24 17 MINUTES AGO


BOSTON RED SOX

One of the Boston Red Sox's best pitchers could find himself playing elsewhere when the 2024 season rolls around.

Boston is looking to cut salary and has been in plenty of rumors lately. It's unclear exactly what will happen, but the Red Sox have informed clubs that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen is available in possible trade talks, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"The Boston Red Sox are telling teams that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen, who’s scheduled to earn $16 million, is available," Nightengale said. "They also are open to listening on offers for outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who has four years and $72 million remaining on his contract."

Jansen has been mentioned in trade rumors on numerous occasions over the last week and it isn't hard to see why. He was impressive last season with Boston and earned his fourth All-Star nod, but he is 36 years old and will be paid $16 million in 2024.

If the Red Sox were to trade him away, they not only would save money they could spend elsewhere, but they also could move Chris Martin or Tanner Houck into the closer role.

It's still too early to tell if a move will happen because this offseason has been significantly slower than others. There hasn't been as much movement this offseason and multiple stars remain in free agency. While this is the case, it wouldn't be too surprising to see a club that misses out on fellow star closer Josh Hader pivot and deal for Jansen.

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Former Guardians Player Signs With Japanese Professional Team

LOGAN POTOSKY 1/8/24 7 HOURS AGO

Former Cleveland slugger Franmil Reyes has signed a one-year contract with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
Just over a month ago, former Cleveland Guardians slugger Franmil Reyes expressed interest in returning to Cleveland.

But the next chapter of his professional baseball career will not be with the Guardians.

Last night, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball announced that they have agreed to a contract with the 28-year-old.

According to Edwin Dominguez-Alvarez, the CEO and Founder of the Defying The Odds Sports Company, Reyes’ contract is for one year.

In terms of his MLB career, Reyes most recently played 19 games with the Kansas City Royals last year, hitting .186 with 11 hits, two home runs, and seven RBI.

He began his Major League career with the San Diego Padres, hitting .266 with 155 hits, 18 doubles, 43 home runs, 77 RBI, and an .844 OPS in 186 games. Reyes was then acquired by Cleveland in the Trevor Bauer trade during the 2019 season.

He had a promising 2021 campaign with Cleveland, hitting .254 with 106 hits, 18 doubles, 30 home runs, and career-highs in RBI (85), slugging percentage (.522), and OPS (.846). However, Reyes was unable to replicate this success the following year.

After hitting .213 with 56 hits, nine doubles, nine home runs, 28 RBI, and a .604 OPS in his first 70 games with the Guardians, the team designated him for assignment in early August of 2022.

Reyes was then claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs, for whom he hit .234 with 41 hits, eight doubles, five home runs, 19 RBI, and a .690 OPS in his final 48 games of the season.

He was eventually designated for assignment by Kansas City this past May, which led to him signing with the Washington Nationals. However, Reyes played 34 Triple-A games for Washington’s organization before being released this past August.

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Chicago Cubs agree to contract with Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga, AP source says

by: JAY COHEN, Associated Press

Posted: Jan 9, 2024 / 08:45 PM EST

Updated: Jan 9, 2024 / 08:46 PM EST

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs bolstered their rotation Tuesday, agreeing to a contract with Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga in their first major offseason roster move.

A person familiar with the agreement confirmed it to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

The 30-year-old Imanaga, who got the win for Japan in last year’s World Baseball Classic final against the United States, has until 5 p.m. EST on Thursday to reach an agreement with a major league team.

Chicago had been quiet since it hired Craig Counsell as manager in November, replacing David Ross in a surprise move. The Cubs were in position for an NL wild card last year before stumbling in September, fading to an 83-79 record after finishing under .500 in the previous two seasons.

Imanaga gives Chicago a replacement for Marcus Stroman, who became a free agent after opting out of his contract. The Cubs also have lefty Justin Steele and right-handers Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon penciled into their rotation.

Cody Bellinger is a free agent after a resurgent season in Chicago, and the Cubs are hoping to re-sign the slugger. They also could add a corner infielder or two before spring training begins next month.

Imanaga was 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 starts this year for the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Central League. He struck out 174 and walked 24 in 148 innings.

Imanaga, recognizable for throwback-style high socks, was regarded as the second prominent Japanese pitcher on the free agent market after 25-year-old right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who finalized a $325 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last month.

Imanaga was 64-50 with a 3.18 ERA in eight seasons with Yokohama, striking out 1,021 and walking 280 in 1,002 2/3 innings.

His fastball averaged 93.5 mph in the WBC final, when he allowed one run and four hits in two innings, giving up a home run to Trea Turner.

Under the MLB-NPB agreement, the posting fee will be 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. There would be a supplemental fee of 15% of any earned bonuses, salary escalators and exercised options.

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Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
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Full trade: The Chicago Cubs are acquiring third baseman Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a pair of toolsy teenaged prospects, left-handed starter Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope, sources tell ESPN.

Above trade could be a precursor to a Dodgers and Guardians trade. Pure speculation.

Roki Sasaki ends speculations of potential Dodgers move as coveted Japanese pitcher agrees terms with Lotte Marines

By John Maxwell

Modified Jan 26, 2024

Roki Sasaki's future has been much discussed this winter after he requested to be posted for MLB consideration. A contract standoff ensued with the Lotte Marines and Sasaki was soon being linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, which was a theme of this offseason in general.

That standoff is now over, as Sasaki and the Marines have reportedly agreed to a deal for 2024, however, the details are yet to be revealed. A press conference is forthcoming, which should provide some clarity on the matter.

This deal will allow the Marines to collect a larger posting fee when Roki Sasaki signs eventually for an MLB team. This looks to be a when, rather than an if, due to the pitcher's obvious talents. Presuming there are no setbacks, Sasaki will be highly pursued by MLB teams and he will be a huge winter storyline when he is posted.

While he may request to be posted later this year, the MLB has rules and regulations that would limit the size of the contract Roki Sasaki would garner if he were to do so.

This is due to his age and years of experience. Sasaki is 22 years old and as such would be treated by MLB regulations as an amateur free agent. This would limit both the size of his contract and the magnitude of the posting fee paid to the Marines.

While this might not be a huge stumbling block, as we saw Shohei Ohtani join the Los Angeles Angels in this manner, it is unusual. If he were to request to be posted at 25 years of age and after six years as a pro, which would be late 2026, there would be no limit on the contract he could sign and Lotte would see a windfall too.

However, reports suggest he wants to be posted following the 2024 season, which would be at the age of 23, mirroring the move of Ohtani. This will result in a much smaller contract and posting fee, so will likely be a point of contention when that bridge needs to be crossed.

With Yoshinobu Yamamoto following Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it will be interesting to see where Roki Sasaki signs when his time to join the MLB comes.

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