MLB Found No Wrongdoing in Dodgers’ Pursuit of Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki announced he would be joining the Los Angeles Dodgers and the baseball world wept. A resounding sentiment of anger from many baseball fans filled social media as the reality of the Dodgers’ greatness set in.
A year before Sasaki signed, there was already the general consensus the Japanese phenom was destined for Los Angeles. Early in the offseason these rumblings grew so loud, MLB had no choice but to investigate the situation.
The league found no wrongdoing, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale. To the dismay of many critics, the Dodgers did not break the rules.
The Dodgers were hated for spending millions, but the organization couldn’t do the same with Sasaki. The 23-year-old’s free agency process was different. The Sasaki sweepstakes was not about money, but instead, was about team’s giving a young, developing star their best pitch.
Presentation was at the center of this offseason saga. Which organization could convince Sasaki theirs was the best in baseball? The Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays were the finalists in the race, but it was the reigning World Series champions that ultimately found favor.
Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent, spoke about the importance of pitching development in his client’s search for a team. Sasaki joined the Dodgers, not because he would be their biggest star, but rather he believes the organization can help him emerge as the greatest pitcher to come out of Japan.
“He has talked about his desire to be the best pitcher in the world,” President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the Winter Meetings, “and we believe he’s capable of being the best pitcher in the world.”
Last year, Friedman spoke about the organization becoming a pipeline for Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
“This signing, from our standpoint, was about the level of talent that we added and the effect it has on our championship odds,” Friedman said. “But a really helpful aspect of this deal is the potential tail of value of kids growing up [in Japan] being passionate Dodger fans, turning into really good players in the NPB [Nippon Professional Baseball], and then in an ideal world wanting to be a Dodger when they come over to play Major League Baseball.”
However, the Dodgers have a long history with Japanese players that have preceded current ownership and present stars. The seed the Dodgers planted decades ago are bearing fruit now. For those who are stunned by the Sasaki signing, should have done their history homework.
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