Alvin Garcia
The buzz surrounding Roki Sasaki’s entry into Major League Baseball has fans and analysts speculating where the Japanese phenom will land. With the Boston Red Sox reportedly making an aggressive push for the pitcher, concerns have surfaced among Dodger faithful that Sasaki could be lured to Fenway. However, a closer look at the situation suggests that the Los Angeles Dodgers are still in the driver’s seat.
The Dodgers have built an impressive resume for integrating Japanese players into their roster. The acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason are prime examples of how the franchise not only values Japanese talent but also provides a welcoming environment for them to thrive. Sasaki would find camaraderie with his fellow countrymen on the roster and benefit from their mentorship. Ohtani’s experience navigating MLB as a two-way player and Yamamoto’s adjustment to the league would provide Sasaki with invaluable guidance. With Sasaki’s priority reportedly in stability, lifestyle, and development, the Dodgers have demonstrated they can deliver better than most teams.
Boston, on the other hand, presents an appealing but unproven case. The city’s sizeable Japanese-American population, combined with its strong market for endorsement opportunities, might attract Sasaki, who will need to supplement his early MLB income with sponsorship deals. Additionally, the Red Sox’s revamped pitching development program under Andrew Bailey offers hope for a bright future. But Boston’s appeal feels more like an ambitious pitch than a proven reality. Unlike the Dodgers, who have consistently developed Japanese stars into icons, the Red Sox’s track record in this area is relatively untested. Their organizational stability—while promising under the leadership of Alex Cora and Craig Breslow—remains in flux compared to the Dodgers’ consistent success.
Los Angeles offers Sasaki something Boston cannot replicate: unmatched market potential and a legacy of greatness. As a global entertainment capital, the city provides Sasaki with opportunities to market himself in Japan, across the United States, and beyond. This creates a revenue pipeline that dwarfs what Boston can offer. Furthermore, Sasaki would step into a franchise with a storied pitching tradition. He wouldn’t just be joining a team but aligning himself with a legacy synonymous with elite pitching.
One of the most critical aspects of Sasaki’s situation is that his signing will be limited to a team’s international bonus pool rather than a bidding war. The Dodgers, with their $2.5 million pool, have a distinct edge over the Red Sox, allowing them to make a competitive offer without overextending their resources. Coupled with their established success in player development and cultural integration, Los Angeles is uniquely positioned to make Sasaki’s transition seamless and successful.
While the Red Sox are making a commendable effort to position themselves as an attractive destination for Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers remain the logical choice. Their established success with Japanese players, ability to provide stability, and the endorsement opportunities available in Los Angeles create a package Boston cannot match. For Dodger fans, there’s little reason to fear the Red Sox in this race. If Sasaki values stability, development, and a path to superstardom, the Dodgers are poised to win his signature—just as many around the league expect.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
