The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been viewed as co-favorites to sign Japanese starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, eyeing the young right-handed hurler for more than a year. However, MLB rumors in recent weeks have suggested that Los Angeles might face more competition than expected for him.
Sasaki, age 23, is being posted to MLB free agency at a unique time. If the Japanese phenom waited until after he turned 25 years old, he could sign a contract that would make him one of the highest-paid MLB players. Instead, thanks to signing restrictions for international free agents, he’ll receive less than $6 million.
- Roki Sasaki stats 2024 (Baseball Reference): 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 4.03 K/BB, 10.5 K/9, 6.7 H/9, 0.2 HR/9 in 111 innings pitched
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Since February 2024, many MLB teams have viewed the Dodgers as heavy favorites to sign Sasaki. Los Angeles wouldn’t just be providing him with the best chance to win a championship, he would also be teammates with fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
In decent days, though, MLB rumors have suggested a small-market club might ultimately be the one to sign Sasaki. Since money won’t be a determining factor, he’s said to be looking for the right situation for his development and some believe that might be outside of Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Dodgers Still Favorite For Roki Sasaki?
However, MLB insider Jon Heyman told Bleacher Report that he believes the Dodgers remain the “heavy favorites” to sign Sasaki.
“Is this more than one? I don’t know. I think the Dodgers are heavy favorites for Roki Sasaki…The belief is he wants to go to the Dodgers.”
Jon Heyman on which MLB team is favored to sign Roki Sasaki (H/T Bleacher Report)
- Roki Sasaki career stats (NPB): 2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 5.74 K/BB, 11.5 K/9, 6.0 H/9, 0.3 HR/9 in 394.2 innings pitched
As Heyman went on to highlight, Sasaki has both seen how the Dodgers helped Ohtani this past season and how quickly this team won the World Series after going all in this past offseason. Furthermore, the Dodgers can offer Sasaki a spot in their rotation without him having the added pressure of being a front-line starter.
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There’s a reason many around MLB have viewed the Dodgers as the overwhelming favorite to sign Sasaki for over a year now. While a deal likely won’t come to fruition until January, when Sasaki is posted, it would be a surprise if he isn’t wearing a Dodgers uniform next season.