LA Dodgers reportedly viewed as ‘heavy favorites’ to land Japanese ace Roki Sasaki
As per Ken Rosenthal, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be the ones to land Japanese ace pitcher Roki Sasaki if he gets posted to MLB.
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Roki Sasaki (Image via The Japan News)
The Los Angeles Dodgers may end up getting another ace pitcher in 2025. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the 2024 World Series Champions are reportedly viewed as ‘heavy favorites’ to land Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki if he gets posted to MLB.
This talk comes at a time when the Dodgers offered club options to several of their veteran stars. However, the team did not offer this option to starting pitcher Walker Buehler, leading to further speculation regarding his future.
The Dodgers last season added Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the mix. Their presence on the roster could become a factor for Sasaki to join the Los Angeles-based outfit.
The suspicion among many in the industry, almost everyone in the industry, that if this guy is posted, Roki Sasaki becomes available, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be heavy, heavy favorites to sign him. And can you imagine what that team would mean in Japan, then. It already has Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto to get Sasaki as well, well it would be even more so Japan’s team.
Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Terrority
.@Ken_Rosenthal says the suspicion around the industry is that the Dodgers would be “heavy heavy favorites” for Roki Sasaki if he is posted https://t.co/FZOhK5EPou pic.twitter.com/427YHrmnCq
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) November 4, 2024
Sasaki is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who made his professional debut in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in 2021. In his professional career, he has pitched for Chiba Lotte Marines for four seasons.
In the 2024 season, he played in 18 games and picked up 128 strikeouts while pitching with an ERA of 2.35. As per reports, he has declined an offer from the Marines, which has led to this speculation of him trying to get signed by an MLB team.
Fans react to Roki Sasaki’s rumored move to Dodgers
The reports of Los Angeles Dodgers being heavy favorites to sign Roki Sasaki have drawn out several mixed reactions. While some fans once again slammed the team for their activities in the offseason, some claimed that he (Sasaki) will not be posted this winter.
Some users on X also pointed out the Dodgers’ connection with Japan. With Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the team and coach Dave Roberts being a Japanese-American, it would make sense for him to prefer the West Coast.
Check out some of the top reactions regarding Roki Sasaki’s rumors below:
Whatever honestly. When they pulled that nonsense with Shohei’s contract their financial flexibility was going to be borderline cheating. They’ll still have the flexibility to sign Fried because of that deferral nonsense
— JD (@JohnnieD49) November 4, 2024
My understanding is the money is pretty close to being even for every team, so it’s just where he wants to play.
— XRP Braves (@T_Red_13) November 4, 2024
What else is new?
— Nelson (@BelgerNelson) November 4, 2024
And at this point gotta ask if anyone from Japan WONT play for the Dodgers ?
— Alex (@benjamntenison1) November 4, 2024
He won't be. There is zero reason for them to post him early and leave all that money on the table.
— ChoZ3nWon (@ChoZ3nWon) November 4, 2024
Don't expect Sasaki to be posted this winter.
— The GOAT ? (@TheG0ATPlays) November 5, 2024
Fng shocking. Dodgers farm team is basically the Japanese leagues
— Matt Goodman (@MattGoody329) November 4, 2024
The rich get richer, this is like the 2017 warriors?kills the fun out of baseball honestly
— Oscar Romero (@OrRomero13) November 4, 2024
Dodgers becoming Japan’s team hella quick. Lmao.
— A Dude Called Parker (@adcparker) November 4, 2024
Nippon dodgers has a nice ring to it ?
— dsFear (@jingleburr) November 4, 2024
I mean, this is the reality for the next 10 years. Every young Japanese player who idolizes Ohtani wants to play with him. And the more Japanese players they add, the more they will acquire simply bc they will feel comfortable signing there. Snowball effect
— Southside Joe (@southsidejoe20) November 5, 2024
Previous reports claimed that the San Diego Padres were also interested in bringing Sasaki to the MLB. Only time will now reveal where Sasaki eventually ends up in 2025.
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Vinay Dave
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