Roki Sasaki to Dodgers? ESPN Insider Says Not So Fast

Although the expected landing spot for Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ESPN insider Jeff Passan believes there are several other clubs that are strong contenders to snag the 23-year-old pitcher.

The Dodgers are still considered the favorite to add Sasaki to their rotation; however, Passan is correct, it’s not a guarantee just yet. Passan believes Sasaki may avoid becoming a Dodger because of the never-ending spotlight on the Los Angeles team.

“Los Angeles will be linked strongly to Sasaki, but assuming he will go to the Dodgers is premature,” Passan wrote. “While the presence of Sasaki’s Samurai Japan teammates Ohtani and Yamamoto in Los Angeles is advantageous, the attention they bring — and the media horde that follows them — adds a different element than other teams.”

It seems obvious that Sasaki would want to reunite with his World Baseball Classic teammates in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but Passan insists there are other MLB teams that could be more enticing than the World Series champion.

“Throughout the 2024 season, MLB presidents of baseball operations and general managers were fixtures at Sasaki’s starts,” Passan added. “Sasaski is close with right-hander Yu Darvish, whose, team the San Diego Padres, figures to be a potential landing spot. Both New York teams have extreme interest in Sasaki, though he could also opt for an organization with pedigree and experience (the Chicago Cubs), a team in an international city (the Toronto Blue Jays), one whose past success with Japanese players still resonates (Darvish started his career with the Texas Rangers) or those whose reputation for bringing the best out in players might appeal (the Tampa Bay Rays). Plenty of other franchises can — and will — make strong appeals to Sasaki once he is posted.”

Though Darvish was a leader in the WBC for Japan, he is a veteran who is aging out of his role in San Diego. Yamamoto and Ohtani have several years left in Los Angeles. Sure, other teams could make alluring arguments as to why Sasaki should sign with said club. But nothing seems more enticing than going to a team with familiar faces and a World Series trophy in hand.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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