Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki is set to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a important addition to their roster. The 23-year-old right-hander, renowned for his blazing fastball that consistently tops 100 mph, made the announcement on his Instagram account, posting a photo of himself wearing a Dodgers cap.
Sasaki will now team up with fellow Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP, creating a dynamic duo that has fans buzzing with excitement. “This decision wasn’t easy, but I’m committed to making it the right one by giving my all throughout my baseball journey,” Sasaki shared in his post.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays, who were among the finalists vying for Sasaki’s signature, once again missed out on securing a top-tier talent. This continues a trend for the Jays, who have struggled to land marquee players despite being in the mix for several high-profile signings.
reports from MLB insiders last week revealed that Sasaki held meetings with representatives from the Dodgers, Blue jays, and San Diego Padres before finalizing his decision. His remarkable 2023 season, where he posted a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111 innings, solidified his status as one of the most sought-after pitchers in the game. However, his season was somewhat hampered by shoulder inflammation, which limited his appearances.
Due to his age (under 25) and limited service time in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Sasaki is classified as an international amateur under MLB rules. This means he is restricted to a minor league contract,with his signing bonus subject to international signing pool limits. His former team,the chiba lotte Marines,will receive a release fee equivalent to 25% of his signing bonus.
The Dodgers’ 2025 starting rotation is shaping up to be a powerhouse, potentially featuring Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Sasaki. with up to $5,146,200 available in their international signing bonus pool, the Dodgers have the versatility to make trades to increase this amount by as much as 60%, further bolstering their financial capacity to secure top talent.
los Angeles is reportedly considering a six-man rotation strategy, which could help ease Sasaki’s transition to the MLB. The team is also aiming to make history by becoming the first since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to win back-to-back World Series titles.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Sasaki in action. The Dodgers’ first spring training game is scheduled for february 11 in Glendale, arizona, followed by a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19, offering a glimpse of what promises to be an electrifying season.
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