With a looming deadline to sign that’s just over two weeks away, the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are expected to soon pick up and the Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping they will be the team he chooses at what’s sure to be a climatic ending.
The Dodgers are one of several teams that have officially met with Sasaki in person before he returned to Japan to mull over his next moves.
The Dodgers had their meeting with Sasaki in late December, but neither Shohei Ohtani nor Yoshinobu Yamamoto were present in accordance with his request that current players not be involved.
The Dodgers are still seen as the favorite to sign Sasaki, as they have been throughout the process, with the San Diego Padres looming as a real possibility as well.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman will take solace in the fact that the organization has put together a well thought-out and earnest proposal to Sasaki, according to Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic:
“We’re going to do whatever we can, and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the same thing. So what that ultimately means at the end, I don’t know. But as long as we have thoughtfully put our best foot forward, then I feel good about at least the effort.”
The Dodgers and some other teams may have more opportunities to attempt to persuade Sasaki in the coming days as the Jan. 23 deadline for his decision nears.
Sasaki has the option to make his decision as early as Jan. 15, when the 2025 international signing period officially opens, but agent Joel Wolfe suggested that isn’t likely.
Dodgers hoping for second Roki Sasaki meeting
As Sasaki evaluates his options and what’s to come, general manager Brandon Gomes said the Dodgers are hoping to secure another meeting with the Japanese phenom. That would suggest the Dodgers have advanced in the Sasaki sweepstakes.
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