Miguel Rojas has embraced his new role on the Los Angeles Dodgers, willingly relinquishing his jersey number 11 to Roki Sasaki, reverting back to the number 72, which he wore during his rookie season in 2014.
Rojas reflected on his journey, stating, “I’m not asking for anything. I have everything that I want in life. All I ask for him is trying to get us another championship.”
The Dodgers, fresh off their second World Series title in five years, are gearing up for spring training, aiming to become the first team since the New York Yankees to win consecutive championships, a feat they accomplished from 1998 to 2000.
In a significant move, the Dodgers signed the highly regarded 23-year-old pitcher from Japan, Roki Sasaki, alongside left-hander Blake Snell.
With the anticipated return of two-way star Shohei Ohtani to pitching duties in April or May following elbow surgery, the pitching lineup appears strong heading into the season.
Max Scherzer, a former Dodgers pitcher, praised the team’s management, saying, “Kudos to them. They’re doing everything right,” indicating that the franchise operates like a “well-oiled machine.”
Los Angeles will kick off its season in Tokyo with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs starting March 18.
The Cubs are the first team to commence their training, with workouts beginning in Mesa, Arizona, while all MLB teams are expected to be active by Thursday.
In a nod to team history, Cubs manager Craig Counsell changed his number to 11 to honor Jim Leyland, who led the Marlins to a World Series victory in 1997.
Drawing inspiration from Leyland, Counsell remarked, “I’m hoping to use that speech a little bit later in the month of September.”
On the other side of Chicago, the White Sox are looking to bounce back from a dismal 121-loss season—the worst in the majors since 1900.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz expressed hope that fans will recognize the long-term benefits of the team’s commitment to rebuilding.
“I hope our fans at some point understand that this is going to pay off long-term,” he stated.
This offseason, Los Angeles made considerable investments, committing $452 million to eight players.
Notable signings include utilityman Tommy Edman (five-year, $74 million deal), outfielder Teoscar Hernández (three-year, $66 million), and right-hander Blake Treinen ($22 million over two years).
The Dodgers also secured Sasaki with a $6.5 million signing bonus and Snell for $182 million over five years, adding further talent such as reliever Tanner Scott and outfielder Michael Conforto.
In the Mets’ pursuit of their first World Series title since 1986, owner Steve Cohen made headlines by offering a record $765 million, 15-year contract to outfielder Juan Soto.
This deal was part of an extravagant $925 million expenditure on eight free-agent players, underscoring his commitment to building a championship-caliber team.
Cohen noted, “If you want something that’s amazing, it’s going to be uncomfortable. It’s never going to be comfortable.”
After narrowly losing to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, the Mets also strengthened their pitching staff with signings of several right-handers and a left-hander, alongside re-signing key players like first baseman Peter Alonso.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays and Athletics are set for challenging seasons ahead, with the Athletics relocating for at least three seasons to West Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas, while the Rays will play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa following damage to their home stadium.
Furthermore, Major League Baseball has implemented rule changes aimed at enhancing the game.
The MLB has increased penalties for violations of the shift rule, necessitating infielders to maintain specific positions during pitches.
Additionally, a new rule introduces a call for “abandonment” if a baserunner bypasses a base without attempting to touch it, aiming to maintain the integrity of base running as lead runners advance.
