Roki Sasaki, a highly sought-after pitcher from Japan, announced through an Instagram post his decision to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions.
The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, known for his impressive fastball that can exceed 100 mph, will join other renowned Japanese talents like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in what many baseball insiders anticipated.
The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were also rumored to be contenders for Sasaki’s signature, who has until the upcoming Thursday to finalize his contract.
In his post, Sasaki expressed, “I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to ensure that, looking back on my life as a baseball player, I can feel this was the correct choice. I hope to wear my Dodgers uniform at my press conference, feeling grateful to all those who have supported me.”
The Dodgers currently have approximately $5,146,200 available in their international signing bonus pool, with the potential to increase that amount by up to 60% through trades in the next week.
Their strategy may involve a six-man rotation, which could facilitate Sasaki’s adjustment to Major League Baseball as the team aims to secure consecutive championships, a feat last achieved by the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.
The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League made Sasaki eligible for MLB teams as part of a 45-day posting agreement. Since he is under 25 and has less than six years of service time in Japan, Sasaki is classified as an international amateur by MLB, which restricts him to a minor league contract governed by signing pools.
The Marines will receive a release fee amounting to 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus.
During a winter meetings press conference last month, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, clarified that no agreement with the Dodgers had been finalized at that time. Wolfe indicated that MLB had conducted inquiries surrounding Sasaki’s situation.
“There was substantial speculation in the media and among league officials regarding Roki’s status. False accusations were made concerning predetermined deals. However, MLB rightfully wanted to ensure fairness for all parties, conducting thorough investigations and interviews beforehand,” said Wolfe.
Last season, Sasaki had a record of 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA over 18 games, striking out 129 hitters in 111 innings despite contending with shoulder issues.
In 2023, he went 7-4 with a remarkable 1.78 ERA over 15 games, although he faced an oblique injury during that time. For his career spanning four seasons with the Marines, Sasaki has a record of 29-15 and a 2.10 ERA, showcasing his talent with a perfect game against Orix in April 2022.
The Dodgers are scheduled to kick off their first spring training session on February 11 in Glendale, Arizona, leading up to their opening two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and 19.
