There is no supply-demand gap in the MLB. The teams are sitting with all the money they need to sign talents, say the likes of Roki Sasaki. There has been significant interest among teams in signing the Japanese star. And it would be a hard time for him to prioritize whom to go with and whom to ditch.
MLB analyst Xavier Scruggs recently shared his thoughts on the exciting possibility of Roki Sasaki joining a National League West team, specifically the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scruggs pointed out that the Dodgers have a remarkable history of success with players from Asia. And that makes them an enticing option for Sasaki.
“I have them at number one. He’s seen the success of the Dodgers, and what they’ve been able to do over in Asia. Obviously, the Dodgers brand is massive. Now you add Shohei Ohtani to that. It’s going to be hard to turn away from that,” Scruggs said to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
"The #Dodgers development system and their pitching lab is top-tier."@Xavier_Scruggs on why the Dodgers should be the clear No. 1 option for Rōki Sasaki:
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 30, 2024
🔗https://t.co/fGPbvbjGlC pic.twitter.com/siDb59vKYb
He also noted that the team’s strong brand and reputation, along with the chance to play alongside superstar Shohei Ohtani, create a compelling case for the young pitcher. With the Dodgers dealing with some injuries in their rotation, bringing in a player of Sasaki’s caliber could give them a significant boost as they look to remain competitive.
Los Angeles Dodgers Recently Met Roki Sasaki
The Los Angeles Dodgers have recently thrown their hat into the ring for the Japanese pitching sensation. After a meeting on December 28, the Dodgers became the sixth team to sit down with the 23-year-old. If we follow the timeline, it is crucial, as Sasaki has until January 23 to sign with an MLB team for the 2025 season.
LA is joining a competitive field that includes big names like the Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, and Giants. Interestingly, even smaller market teams aren’t completely out of the running since Sasaki is only eligible for a minor-league deal. There’s even some chatter about the Padres potentially being interested, although they haven’t secured a meeting yet.
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The Dodgers have met with Roki Sasaki, per @billplunkettocr pic.twitter.com/OxxLw8Bxrp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 29, 2024
As the clock ticks down to the international signing period starting on January 15, the Dodgers are in a great position to win Sasaki over. With their impressive track record and the presence of other talented Japanese players on their roster, they could offer him a unique environment to thrive. The idea of teaming up with high-caliber pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow is certainly appealing.
Sasaki’s choice of team could have a big impact not just on his future but also on how the league shakes out overall.
