Momentum Shifts Away from Dodgers in Latest Roki Sasaki Update
World Baseball Classic Semifinals: Mexico vs Japan
From the moment it was announced that Roki Sasaki would be posted to Major League Baseball, many assumed the Los Angeles Dodgers would be the frontrunners to land the young star. Over the past year, L.A. has managed to secure nearly every player they pursued, from Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason to winning the World Series. The acquisitions of Ohtani and Yamamoto seemed to affirm the Dodgers’ persuasive appeal to Japanese players. As one of the richest and most powerful teams in the league, with two prominent Japanese stars already on the roster, the Dodgers appeared to have an undeniable advantage in the race for Sasaki. How could other teams possibly compete?
However, as with any Hot Stove season, rumors can often take unexpected turns. Sasaki’s status as an international amateur free agent removes the financial edge the Dodgers have, and the more details emerge about Sasaki’s preferences, the less likely it seems he will end up in Los Angeles. A recent report now suggests that Sasaki is all but certain to sign elsewhere.
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MLB Insider Suggests Dodgers’ Chances of Signing Roki Sasaki Are Slim
On Wednesday afternoon, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden appeared on Foul Territory and gave an update on Sasaki’s potential landing spots. Bowden had previously downplayed the Dodgers’ chances, mentioning that other teams like the San Diego Padres could also offer enticing opportunities for the 23-year-old. This time, Bowden went even further, citing sources close to Sasaki and claiming there is an 85% chance he signs with a team other than Los Angeles.
While it’s important to take this with caution, as Sasaki and his camp remain relatively mysterious compared to other high-profile free agents like Juan Soto and Scott Boras, it’s significant that someone with Bowden’s insight is so pessimistic about L.A.’s chances. It suggests Sasaki might be looking for something different in his free agency, or, as Bowden noted, that Sasaki could earn significantly more endorsement income as the singular Japanese star in his market, rather than sharing the spotlight with Ohtani and Yamamoto in Los Angeles.
Whether this is a major factor in Sasaki’s decision-making is still unclear. But it underscores how much is still unknown about his intentions and highlights the many attractive options for a pitcher like him once financial factors are set aside. If Sasaki does choose to carve his own path, the Dodgers may need to turn their attention elsewhere for upgrades to their pitching staff.