Roki Sasaki informs Giants he wants to sign elsewhere

The Giants are currently introducing the future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander at a press conference, but there’s also some other big news coming out of that media session. Giants general manager Zack Minasian revealed during his comments that while his team met with Roki Sasaki‘s camp, they have now been informed that Sasaki will not sign there (link via Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area).

There are no further details on the matter other than that. It is not entirely clear whether Sasaki visited Oracle Park in San Francisco or whether the meeting referred to was held in Los Angeles, at the headquarters of Sasaki’s agency, Wasserman. At least it’s problematic at this point, as the Giants’ elimination from the process is the latest step in narrowing the field.

Agent Joel Wolfe stated at last month’s winter meetings that the plan for Sasaki’s free agency was for teams to submit initial presentations and pitches before the holidays. Sasaki and Wasserman hosted interested teams for meetings at a central location — Wasserman’s LA headquarters — and the plan was for the 23-year-old justice to then visit some finalists in their hometowns after the holidays.

A full list of teams he has visited with is not publicly known, although Sasaki traveled to Toronto to meet with the Blue Jays recently. Presumably, with Wasserman based in Los Angeles, Sasaki has met with the Dodgers and nearby Padres — the two long-presumed favorites in the bidding. Other clubs that have been prominently linked to Sasaki include the Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Mariners.

With Sasaki not coming to San Francisco and Verlander’s deal now official, the Giants’ rotation appears set. Verlander will be in Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks by rounding out a quintet that is fairly talented but has a handful of question marks (Verlander’s age, Ray’s health, Hicks’ workload). In-house depth options with at least some big league experience include Tristan Beck, Hayden Birdsong, Mason Black and Country Roupp.