Has Shohei Ohtani Recruited Roki Sasaki to LA? Dodgers Star Answers
National League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani set the record straight: He has not tried to recruit Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to join the Los Angeles Dodgers next season.
“I haven’t really been recruiting him in any way,” Ohtani said after winning MVP on Thursday. “Obviously we’ll stay in contact. I consider him a friend. I’ll respect his decision wherever he wants to sign, and I think he’ll do well wherever he goes.”
The Sasaki sweepstakes have been the most popular storyline this winter. Which team will land the 23-year-old pitcher? Does any team have a better chance than the Dodgers?
These questions have filled the pages of baseball sites throughout the country; however, earlier this week, the Sasaki storylines reached their boiling point as Joel Wolfe of Wasserman had to deny rumors surrounding his client and the Dodgers.
“While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement,” Wolfe told The Athletic, “in reality, this is just poor sportsmanship.”
Wolfe’s statements came after speculation went as far to say that the Dodgers had reached an unwritten agreement with Sasaki to join the team next season. Of course, unwritten agreements are illegal, but many front office executives are allegedly under the impression that Sasaki’s destination is already known.
However, if Sasaki is posted in the next signing period which opens on Jan. 15, then the Dodgers would be among teams with the least amount of money to offer the pitcher from their international bonus pool.
Several people have speculated that Sasaki wants to join the Dodgers to reunite with former Team Japan teammates in Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Others have speculated the opposite saying Sasaki wouldn’t want to be in the shadow of his Samurai teammates since that would limit his endorsement opportunities.
Ohtani’s latest comments on the Sasaki sweepstakes indicate their friendship trumps business. The NL MVP seemed adamant that he would be happy for Sasaki regardless of which team he ends up with.
Hopefully, Ohtani’s comments put the rumors to rest, for now.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
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