**Agent Rebukes Rumors of Agreement Between Dodgers and Japanese Star Right-Hander**

Recent speculations suggesting a potential agreement between Nippon Professional Baseball sensation and the Los Angeles Dodgers have been met with a stern denial from his representatives. Joel Wolfe of Wasserman, who manages the player's contract, dismissed the rumors emphatically, labeling them as a reflection of poor sportsmanship. In his comments to Evan Drellich of The Athletic, Wolfe refuted any claims of collusion, expressing frustration at the insinuations that undermined his integrity.

The speculation has been fueled by the Dodgers' substantial remaining funds in their 2024 international bonus pool, amounting to approximately $2.5 million. Additionally, the team’s established relationship with high-profile Japanese talents like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both affiliated with Wasserman, has added to the conjecture. Wolfe’s agency has a notable history of representing top-tier international players, including Kodai Senga and Seiya Suzuki.

However, a statement from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stating that Sasaki's posting might extend into the 2025 signing period complicates the assumption that the Dodgers hold an advantage due to their current bonus pool balance. By January 15, when the 2025 signing period begins, the Dodgers will have the smallest pool in the game, tied with the Giants at $5,146,200, as noted by Baseball America.

Teams can augment their international bonus pools by trading for additional space, capped at 60% of their initial allotment. For Los Angeles, this translates to a potential maximum offering of roughly $8.25 million to Sasaki, contingent on acquiring the full $3.09 million in extra space. Other teams such as the Reds, Tigers, Marlins, Twins, Brewers, A’s, Mariners, and Rays will start the 2025 period with larger pools of $7.555 million. The Padres, another potential suitor for Sasaki, will have a pool of $6.26 million.

In an ideal scenario, these teams could enhance their offers, the max being just over $12 million for teams with a starting pool of $7.555 million if they secure the full additional 60% allowance. Nevertheless, it is improbable that such extensive funds would be accessible due to existing commitments most teams have with teenage prospects from Latin America.

The ripple effects of Sasaki’s signing extending into the next period were critically examined by Baseball America’s Ben Badler. He observed that teams like the Dodgers and Padres have reserved a larger portion of their 2025 pools in anticipation of Sasaki's availability. This anticipation might result in teams reconsidering their agreed deals with Latin American prospects, potentially causing a disruptive domino effect in the international market.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic also highlighted the broader implications of the current international free agent system, criticizing its inability to distinguish between established talents like Sasaki and much younger Latin American prospects. He advocated for a solution that would cap Sasaki's bonus while keeping him within international pool regulations, though admitting it was far from perfect.

The unresolved issues surrounding Sasaki’s potential MLB entry are likely to become key topics in future discussions between Major League Baseball and the Players Association concerning an international draft. Meanwhile, the ongoing uncertainty seems poised to incite further speculation and controversy within the baseball community.