While New York Yankees fans may question why the team is losing its appeal to top free agents after missing out on international pitching prospect Roki Sasaki, the front office isn’t dwelling on the setback. Sasaki’s decision to eliminate the Yankees—along with the Mets, Cubs, Giants, and Rangers—opens up new opportunities. The Yankees can still make moves during the 2025 international signing period, which starts on January 15. With the three remaining teams holding onto their signing bonus pool money in hopes of landing Sasaki, other teams can now seize the chance to sign promising young talent.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are focusing all their available funds on Sasaki, have already lost top shortstop prospect Darell Morel, a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic, to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Though Sasaki remains the most coveted prospect, several other talented players will be available, and the Yankees have the chance to bolster their farm system. Among the top prospects expected to sign at the start of the signing period are shortstop Josauar De Jesus Gonzalez, right-handed pitcher Kelvin De Frank, shortstop Elian Pena, outfielder Cris Rodriguez, and shortstop/outfielder Andrew Salas. Less than a day after the Mets were informed they were no longer in the running for Sasaki, they were linked to Pena. The Yankees, meanwhile, are reportedly interested in 16-year-old shortstop Manny Cedeno from the Dominican Republic.
The Yankees have a $6,261,600 international signing bonus pool for 2025, which they can use to sign players like they did in 2019 when they secured top prospect Jasson Dominguez for a franchise-record $5.1 million.
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