What happened: The New York Yankees have scheduled a meeting with Japanese high school pitcher Shoki Oda ahead of the international signing period, according to Bleacher Report. The 18-year-old starter attracted interest from roughly a dozen clubs following a dominant showing at the 2026 Koshien tournament. Oda elected to forgo Nippon Professional Baseball to enter Major League Baseball through the amateur signing system.

Why it matters: By bypassing NPB and the posting process, Oda enters under international amateur bonus pool limits, giving a signing club six years of team control. The path mirrors Roki Sasaki's move to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a $6.5 million bonus in 2025. A successful pursuit would bolster the Yankees presence in the Japanese amateur market.

What to watch: MLB's international free agency signing period opens on January 15, when Oda becomes eligible to finalize an agreement.