Alvin Garcia
The pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki is heating up, and the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to be viewed as the favorites to land the 23-year-old phenom. Known for his triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter, Sasaki has quickly become one of the most coveted players in recent MLB hot stove history.
Sasaki’s free agency has taken on a unique process due to his classification as an international amateur. Unlike traditional MLB free agents, Sasaki’s signing will be limited by international bonus pool money, leveling the playing field for teams with financial constraints. However, the Dodgers’ proven ability to develop international stars and their reputation as perennial contenders give them a significant edge in this sweepstakes.
The Dodgers have long been recognized as the frontrunners in the race to sign Sasaki. A recent report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan highlighted the team’s strong position, with 11 MLB executives polled selecting Los Angeles as the most likely landing spot. Sasaki would join a Dodgers rotation already bolstered by the offseason additions of Blake Snell and a recovering Shohei Ohtani, forming one of the most formidable pitching staffs in the league.
Sasaki’s admiration for Japanese MLB legends, including Masahiro Tanaka and Shohei Ohtani, aligns perfectly with the Dodgers’ pitch. Pairing with Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the rotation could be a key factor in convincing Sasaki to bring his talents to Chavez Ravine.
While the Dodgers remain the favorites, they face stiff competition from other teams. After submitting their virtual pitch, the Yankees have already secured an in-person meeting with Sasaki, and the Cubs and Red Sox have also emerged as serious contenders.
The Yankees are banking on their storied history and recent acquisition of ace Max Fried to appeal to Sasaki. Meanwhile, the Cubs are leveraging their international connections, including Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, to make their case. The Red Sox, known for their history of Japanese stars like Daisuke Matsuzaka, have also entered the mix, touting their impressive pitching development program under GM Craig Breslow.
Sasaki’s numbers in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) are elite. Over four seasons, he has posted a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts in 394.2 innings. In 2024, he delivered a 2.35 ERA and struck out 129 batters in just 111 innings, further cementing his status as a future MLB ace.
For the Dodgers, signing Sasaki would solidify their rotation for years. Due to international signing rules, his cost-controlled contract would provide unparalleled value compared to the massive deals recently signed by other top pitchers.
Sasaki and his agent, Joel Wolfe, have yet to finalize their list of in-person meetings. With the Dodgers already positioned as a favorite, securing a meeting and finalizing their pitch will be critical.
The Dodgers’ commitment to player development and status as reigning World Series champions make them an ideal destination for Sasaki. If they can close the deal, Sasaki’s addition would cap off an already stellar offseason and further strengthen their dynasty aspirations.
The coming weeks will be pivotal, but one thing is clear: the Dodgers are all-in on Roki Sasaki and are not alone in recognizing his potential to change the game.
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