Roki Sasaki Rumors: MLB Insider Provides Latest Update on Dodgers’ Chances
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to Roki Sasaki, who is expected to sign in the next international signing period which opens Jan. 15, since the onset of the winter. The Dodgers have remained the favorites in the Sasaki sweepstakes, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
“The Dodgers remain favored, followed by the Padres,” Heyman wrote. “The Dodgers established themselves as the team for Japan’s stars, but Sasaki’s admiration of Padres ace Yu Darvish and a clear path to be their ace gives them a shot.”
The Dodgers are among six teams to have already met with Sasaki during the first round of in-person meetings. However, Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent, revealed 20 teams have reached out. Sasaki is being labeled as the biggest bargain in baseball since he is limited to signing a minor-league contract with an international bonus pool signing bonus.
A starting pitcher with his talent typically isn’t cheap, but Sasaki is considered an international amateur free agent. In four NPB seasons, Sasaki posted a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Last season, he dealt with some injury issues but had a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA.
It’s no surprise the Dodgers have the upper hand in the Sasaki sweepstakes. As the reigning World Series champions, the team has a lot to offer a young, developing pitcher like Sasaki. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were both former WBC teammates of the 23-year-old star.
If the Dodgers learned anything from the 2024 season it’s that a team can never have enough starting pitching. Adding Sasaki to the rotation would mark another successful offseason for the Dodgers.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team is hoping to avoid engineering deals in July at the trade deadline. With that being said, the Dodgers will have to fortify the roster by the end of the winter in order to do so.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Roku my man come to the Mets you will instantly be the man in NY in NY. In LA you will always be the other Asian guy cause that area belongs to Otani. Come to NY be the man not a side note.
Side note? ? Come on now. You know the Dodgers hold Japanese players and their culture in high regard. Anyways, may the best team get him. With that being said, I want to wish a happy and very prosperous new year to you and your family.
What an ignorant, and frankly racist (“the other Asian guy? Really??”) post. Tokenism, much?