MLB investigation clears up Roki Sasaki-Dodgers pre-agreement deal rumors in wake of $6.5 million signing with LA

MLB found no evidence of Dodgers making prior contract deal or having discussions with Roki Sasaki before phenom joined LA.

MLB investigation clears up Roki Sasaki-Dodgers pre-agreement deal rumors in wake of $6.5 million signing with LA

Roki Sasaki (Image via Pinstripes Alley)

Since Roki Sasaki’s announcement of his signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, several teams including fans questioned the integrity of the deal. Analyst Jim Bowden commented during a discussion on Foul Territory that there’ll be many who will remain unsatisfied with the deal.

Since 2023 the Dodgers were linked to Sasaki, a budding talent with the Chiba Lotte Marines. With their link to Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto the Dodgers were always at the top spot for the race. 

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Many said that there was a “pre-cut deal” between the LA Dodgers and Sasaki but no evidence was found. As per the latest reports, the MLB investigations cleared up the air on these rumors noting they found no such evidence to base these claims. 

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Even before this whole process began the MLB started investigating things to avoid mess later on. According to a league officer it was done to make sure the protocol was followed and no shortcuts were made.

I think you’re going to find there’s going to be multiple teams that are going to ask the commissioner’s office to investigate this particular signing. There were several front offices that believed there was a pre-cut deal between the Dodgers and Roki Sasaki before this process started.

Jim Bowden on Foul Territory.

A person with knowledge about the situation also commented that the league interviewed “numerous parties” before clearing up the rumors surrounding a possible pre-agreement. Although the MLB teams cannot entirely be blamed for their suspicion of the deal.

The viral claims took the spotlight after Roki Sasaki made his $6.5 million decision known on social media on Friday. Like many other teams, the Dodgers were also keeping a lookout for the Japanese phenom when he got posted.

Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe mentioned that they had several discussions on location, team wins, atmosphere, and how many Japanese players were affiliated with them. The Dodgers fit the bill with additional assurance of Sasaki having connection to his former WBC teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

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He said he made this decision after long hours of deep thinking and hopes to look back at it as the “right choice” in the future. The fans may learn more about his deal with Dodgers and his reasonings during his press conference.

Roki Sasaki drives interest more in MLB debut that contract details

Roki Sasaki, just like Shohei Ohtani, couldn’t wait to make his MLB debut before 23. By coming into the major league before 25, he’ll be restricted to rules allowing him to sign only minor league deals with any team.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki [Image Credit: Bleeding Yankee Blue]

However, Sasaki, his only interest seemed to have come from his desire to be the best. If he waited until the proper age of debut in Major League Baseball he could have signed a high-end deal like Yoshinobu Yamamoto did.

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Unlike Ohtani who made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels and moved on to Dodgers signing a 10-year $700 million contract, Yamamoto signed 12 years $325 million deal. Both are star players in their own league and joining them will be the rookie ace pitcher in the 2025 race.