Cubs Rumors: Meeting with Roki Saski confirms next target for Jed Hoyer

The next domino to fall for the Chicago Cubs' offseason will be the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes.

After sitting out of the sweepstakes for Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason, the Cubs are expected serious contenders to sign Sasaki this offseason.

Sasaki, 23, is subject to international free agency rules, meaning the type of deal he can sign with a Major League team this offseason is limited. That wasn't the case for Yamamoto last winter and is largely the reason why the Cubs were not involved in his bidding. It's also the reason why Sasaki won't be signing until after January 15 next year, when the signing bonus pool amounts reset for each team.

Along those lines, many teams already have an understanding with other international free agents, which means there could be some uncomfortable conversations in the near future.

Setting that to the side for now, teams are beginning to make their initial presentations to Sasaki. Bruce Levin reported on Friday that the Cubs met with Sasaki's team in Los Angeles.

Sasaki is represented by Joel Wolfe and that can't be ignored when it comes to the Cubs' interest. While the Cubs track record with Seiya Suzuki, Shota Imanaga, and Yu Darvish seem to work in the team's favor when it comes to their courtship of Sasaki, Wolfe's strong statements at the Winter Meetings regarding Suzuki's current feelings may play a factor in their efforts to sign the 23-year-old starting pitcher.

Landing Sasaki would be the best-case scenario for the Cubs when it comes to their need for a starting pitcher. The Cubs won't be involved in the market for Corbin Burnes given his desire for a long-term contract. That same concern doesn't apply to Sasaki, considering he has yet to reach the age of 25.

While Sasaki may be the best-case scenario for the Cubs, chances of the Cubs signing are as unlikely as they are for the team signing Burnes. The reason that the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, neither of whom have any rumored international signings for the next signing period, are the overwhelming favorites to sign Sasaki.