On January 13, 2025, San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian announced that Rōki Sasaki's representatives informed the team that they are no longer in the running to sign the talented pitcher.

Sasaki, a rising star from Japan, had previously met with several MLB teams, including the Giants, as he considered his future in the league.

It's important to note that MLB rules limit Sasaki's first contract earnings to between $5.1 million and $7.6 million, a figure significantly lower than his potential market value due to international bonus pool constraints.

The Giants were not seen as frontrunners for Sasaki, largely due to their recent struggles in acquiring star free agents and their limited international bonus pool.

The Giants' projected performance for the upcoming 2025 season appears modest, following an 80-82 record last season and a lack of significant improvements in player acquisitions.

Despite the disappointment of not securing Sasaki, the Giants' position in the signing process was not favorable, and thus, they should not face heavy criticism.

In light of the situation, many MLB teams are choosing to let some international prospects sign elsewhere, aiming to preserve flexibility for potentially signing Sasaki next year.