Dodgers News: Teams ‘Planning’ For Japanese Star Roki Sasaki To Be Posted This Winter

Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki has already taken the baseball world by storm. Although he has yet to pitch in the major leagues, many within the league believe he will be the next big thing. Only time will tell, but fortunately for the league and its fans, they may not have to wait too long for his pitching prowess. 

According to The Washington Posts Chelsea Janes, MLB teams are “planning” for the possibility that Sasaki will be posted during the 2024-2025 offseason.

Sasaki or his Nippon Professional Baseball club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, have not confirmed his plans for the future. Nonetheless, it’s no secret that the 22-year-old wants to make his way to the States. It’s not a foregone conclusion, but the Dodgers appear to be the favorites and the Japanese sensation. 

That could all change even in a couple of months, but one thing is certain: many teams will be gunning for the right-handed ace. 

Sasaki is a menace on the hill, and his potential addition for L.A. would be a nightmare for the 29 other teams in the league. In 2023, he became the youngest pitcher in the history of Japanese baseball to throw a perfect game. He also holds a 1.90 career ERA with 395 strikeouts in 303.2 innings for the Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League.

So far this season, he’s collected a 4-2 record, 2.18 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and a 1.02 WHIP in 53.2 innings and eight games. The 6-foot-4 right-hander is a specimen, and any team would be lucky to have his talents.

Sasaki is trying his best to play in the big leagues despite not being 25 years old, having not reached six years of service in a foreign major league, and being subject to MLB’s international amateur signing bonus pools.

If he becomes available this offseason, the Dodgers will have the money to go big spending again, as nine players will be coming off the books. On top of that, Sasaki won’t be earning Yoshinobu Yamamoto-type money as he doesn’t have the playing experience professionally in Japan, so that will be a plus for the team. Adding a talent like Sasaki on a potential bargain would be a steal for the Dodgers.

Sasaki could be the next big thing in the major leagues, and he may rock the Dodger blue when it’s all said and done.  

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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