Tigers President Scott Harris gives major update on Roki Sasaki situation after showing interest in Japanese phenom

With all eyes firmly on Roki Sasaki this winter, the teams that want to try and sign him are making themselves known. Several teams have had or will have meetings with the 23-year-old Japanese pitcher.

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly one of those teams, as they've expressed interest in adding the young pitcher to their rotation. He would pair with 2024 AL Cy Young Tarik Skubal.

Detroit's President of Baseball Operations, Scott Harris, revealed on Friday:

"We submitted all of our materials and our presentation. We understand that we are supposed to hear back after the holidays."

Sasaki was officially posted from Chiba Lotte, his old team, to try and join the MLB. Given his age, he is not a free-for-all free agent like Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto was. The age difference means Sasaki won't demand a $300+ million deal like Yamamoto.

This opens him up to all MLB teams regardless of their financial status. A bidding war is impossible, just like it was when Shohei Ohtani initially came to the MLB as an international free agent. That allows teams like the Tigers, who otherwise might not have a chance to outbid teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets, to sign Sasaki.

It all begins with a meeting, though, and that's something that the Tigers have expressly said they're trying to make happen.

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Nine things MLB teams need to be able to sign Roki Sasaki

If any MLB team is going to sign Roki Sasaki, it will come down to a variety of factors. There are reportedly a lot of things that the pitcher is considering according to one MLB analyst.

Roki Sasaki is headed to the MLB (Imagn)

Jim Bowden revealed these nine things play a major role in Sasaki's decision-making, per Sportsnaut on Thursday.

• The major league team’s chances of winning now and later.
• Strength of the farm system
• Financial resources
• The pitching staff and coaches
• The analytics and technology available
• Location
• Translation and support staff
• Recruiting meetings with front office and staff
• Family treatment/family vibe in the clubhouse

If these things are good or Sasaki likes what a team has to offer in these areas, they'll have the best chance of signing him in free agency.