Roki Sasaki REUNITES with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto following minor league deal with Dodgers

Roki Sasaki chooses Los Angeles Dodgers for his MLB debut while getting reunited with WBC teammates in free agency closure.

Roki Sasaki REUNITES with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto following minor league deal with Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto [Image Credit: The Cut/LA Times/Reddit]

Finally, the second biggest name in the MLB free agency, Roki Sasaki, has penned a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sasaki will make his MLB debut with the help of his new organization and his old World Baseball Classic teammates.

Since the beginning of his free agency, he was linked to the Dodgers due to his acquaintance with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The trio played in the WBC and the team was known for their player development was always at the top of the race.

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Roki Sasaki took to Instagram to announce his decision to join the Dodgers noting how difficult the decision was and for him to look back at it as a “right decision” in the future. Furthermore, he said that he can’t wait to try on the Dodgers outfit in the opening ceremony.

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I want to slip my sleeve on the Dodgers uniform at the opening conference, thanking everyone who has supported me this far.

Roki Sasaki on Instagram

During this whole recruitment process, Ohtani and Yamamoto were not directly involved in the talks. Early on Sasaki mentioned that he didn’t want any player involvement and would choose the team on several factors.

Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe said that while he commented on a smaller market team, it was the pitcher’s decision to sign with any team he wanted. During the talks the size, location, team wins, and whether they had Japanese players were all taken into consideration.

Wolfe commented that unlike any other player Sasaki “doesn’t seem to look at it in the typical way” and that might have shaped his decision. He wanted to be the greatest pitcher in MLB and his decision to debut at 23 reflects so.

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Had he waited until 25 he could have signed a major league deal worthy of his services like Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, Sasaki said he couldn’t wait till then and wanted to make a move to MLB right away.

Tyler Glasnow reveals his Roki Sasaki pitch to Dodgers

LA Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow in a recent interview on the Foul Territory podcast revealed his pitch to Roki Sasaki during free agency. Just before Sasaki made his decision, the veteran was already working to woo the rookie to LA.

Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow
Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow [Image Credit: CNN/CBS Sports]

Glasnow commented that he had a casual short chat with Sasaki on the phone and he made sure to note how the Dodgers could be the best “place for you.” He said he was not involved during the discussion but if were he would have said so.

If one of your main goals is to become the best you can possibly be… this is the place for you. I think this is the best place to grow as a baseball player.

Tyler Glasnow as per Dodgers Nation via Foul Territory on X.
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During the free agency, two names took the spotlight: Juan Soto and Sasaki. Now with both deals done and dusted the rest of the teams can focus on signing the remaining players for the 2025 run.