Yаnkees Left Reelіng After Losіng Toр Internаtіonаl Free Agent Rokі Sаsаkі – Wһаt’s Tһeіr Next Move?

While the New York Yankees’ fans can wonder why the team has lost its appeal to top free agents after losing out on top international pitching prospect Roki Sasaki, the front office doesn’t have time to lick its wounds. With Sasaki’s decision to eliminate the Yankees – and New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers – from the running comes opportunity.

The Yankees can pivot and still sign a top international prospect when the 2025 signing period officially opens on January 15. With the three teams who remain in the running for Sasaki holding onto their International Signing Bonus Pool money, other teams can swoop in and grab some top, young talent.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already lost top shortstop prospect Darell Morel, a 16-year-old from the Dominican Republic. While the Dodgers are hoarding their entire international signing bonus stash in hopes of giving it to Sasaki, they have told players with whom they already had “handshake deals” they can wait until 2026 or are free to sign elsewhere. Morel is reportedly planning to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While Sasaki is the top available prospect, other talented younger players can help the Yankees rebuild their farm system and eventually contribute at the major league level.

Among the top young prospects expected to sign on the first day of the International 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 24 hours after learning they would not be a finalist for Sasaki, the Mets were already linked to Pena. The Yankees have been linked to 16-year-old shortstop Manny Cedeno out of the Dominican Republic.

The Yankees have $6,261,600 in International Signing Bonus Pool money assigned to them for 2025. This is how they acquired top prospect Jasson Dominguez, who signed for a franchise-record $5.1 million bonus in 2019 as a 16-year-old in his native Dominican Republic.