LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers received an exciting announcement from none other than Shohei Ohtani regarding the addition of talented Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to their ranks. Ohtani shared the news via text to Andrew Friedman, the team’s president of baseball operations, even before Sasaki’s agent had the chance to break the news to the organization.
“We were filled with pure excitement upon hearing the news,” Friedman remarked during the introductory press conference for Sasaki held outside Dodger Stadium. Manager Dave Roberts humorously added that his reaction might have included some colorful language.
Sasaki has inked a minor league contract with an impressive signing bonus of $6.5 million. The 23-year-old pitcher donned a newly assigned No. 11 jersey featuring the name “R. Sasaki,” becoming the franchise’s 13th player from Japan. In a fun twist, like Ohtani, Sasaki has a black toy poodle and was seen wearing socks adorned with a dog’s face.
The pitcher expressed a warm connection with Ohtani, saying through a translator, “We share the same birthday.” Known for his impressive pitching skills, Sasaki’s fastball can exceed 100 mph. He communicated his decision to sign with the Dodgers on a Friday after meeting with eight different teams, narrowing his choices down to the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent, commented on the highly competitive nature of the selection process, stating that both the Padres and Blue Jays made compelling presentations. “It really felt like a coin flip during the decision-making,” Wolfe said. Ultimately, Sasaki chose the Dodgers, joining his fellow Japanese stars Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a signing anticipated by many baseball executives.
“I feel deeply honored that so many teams showed such enthusiasm, especially when my accomplishments in Japan are limited,” Sasaki stated through a translator. “It was incredibly tough to choose just one team.” Although he has pitched just under 400 innings in Japan, Friedman noted that Sasaki will immediately become part of the Dodgers’ rotation.
Friedman shared, “His aspiration is to become the first Japanese pitcher to win a Cy Young award, and he possesses that capability.” The organization is eager to start spring training with Sasaki integrated into their plans.
Friedman described Sasaki as “one of the most thrilling and promising talents in the sport,” revealing that the Dodgers have tracked his progress for the past six years, first discovering him while he was still in high school in Japan. “His explosive fastball, precision command, and composure were evident even then,” he added.
During winter meetings, Wolfe denied rumors that a deal with the Dodgers was finalized ahead of time. “This was a fair and transparent process,” he clarified. Regarding the long journey to finalize Sasaki’s signing, Roberts mentioned, “Roki kept things tightly monitored. A lot of effort and travel went into making this happen.”
When asked about his choice of the Dodgers, Sasaki highlighted the stability of their front office as a significant factor in his decision. His contract had to be finalized by Thursday, as he was classified as an international amateur under MLB rules, requiring him to comply with international signing bonus pools due to his age and lack of service time in Japan’s major leagues.
Initially, the Dodgers had a signing pool of $5,146,200, which expanded to $8,102,800 after a pair of trades that provided them with additional funds. The organization plans to implement a six-man rotation, which could help ease Sasaki’s transition into Major League Baseball as the team strives to defend its title and become back-to-back champions, a feat not achieved since the New York Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000.
Sasaki also took a moment to acknowledge the challenging conditions in Los Angeles, referencing his own experience with natural disasters. “Having endured difficult times due to a natural disaster myself, I’ve always kept my eyes on my goals and looked forward,” he expressed thoughtfully. “Los Angeles is facing tough circumstances right now, and as a member of the Dodgers, I am committed to giving my best and moving forward with the city.”
The Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League allowed Sasaki to enter a 45-day period where MLB teams could negotiate with him. The Marines stand to receive a release fee of $1,625,000, calculated at 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus and due within 30 days of the MLB’s approval of the contract.
In the previous season, Sasaki registered a record of 10-5 with a remarkable 2.35 ERA across 18 games, notching 129 strikeouts over 111 innings amidst shoulder issues. In 2023, he achieved a 7-4 record with a 1.78 ERA in 15 starts during a season that saw him contend with an oblique injury. Over four seasons with the Marines, he boasts a career record of 29-15 and an impressive 2.10 ERA, highlighted by his perfect game against Orix in April 2022.
Alongside Sasaki, Los Angeles has also secured agreements with various international amateur prospects, including Venezuelan infielders Luis Tovar and Moises Acacio, Panamanian left-hander Adrian Torres, and Colombian shortstop Luis Luna, further reinforcing their commitment to scouting and development.