MLB rumors: Roki Sasaki meets with Mets, Nolan Arenado leaves door open for Astros trade

Also, the Nats agreed to a deal with a former Braves All-Star

The 2024-25 Major League Baseball offseason carries on, and notable free-agent names are off the board, including the biggest name of all in Juan Soto. With the Winter Meetings well behind us and many big free agents and trade targets still available, we’re still being treated to an almost daily supply of rumors regarding all of that. Speaking of which, Thursday’s round of rumors can be found just below.

Mets meet with Sasaki

The New York Mets met with Japanese righty Roki Sasaki on Thursday, reports SNY. Sasaki, our No. 7 free agent, can not sign with a team until the 2025 international signing period opens on Jan. 15. Because he is under 25, he is subject to the international bonus pools, and will be limited to a minor-league contract.

Sasaki, 23, is the most talented pitcher in the world not under contract with an MLB team. It’s upper-90s gas with a wipeout slider and splitter. The international bonus pools range from $4 million to $8 million each year depending on market size. Sasaki is not eligible for a monster contract a la Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which levels the financial playing field during his free agency.