The forthcoming posting of Chiba Lotte Marines phenom Roki Sasaki has thrown a new wrinkle into MLB free agency by adding a marquee name to the mix of players available this winter.
With a sure-fire need for starting pitching, the Los Angeles Dodgers have Sasaki near, or at the top, of their offseason wish list.
In a pursuit that spans several years, the Dodgers front office has kept their eyes on Sasaki’s path. The 23-year-old reportedly urged the Marines to post him last year, but they declined to comply with the request.
Sasaki is subject to international signing rules as an amateur free agent, limiting the overall value and length of his initial contract. For the 2024 signing period, the Dodgers have $2.5 million of bonus pool money remaining, and could make the largest offer.
Where he will land is speculation at this point, but former big league pitcher Dallas Keuchel played with Sasaki on the Marines and believes the right-hander is likely to sign with the Dodgers, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
“I heard some, some rumblings about a done deal with the Dodgers — you know, having a plan for him,” Keuchel added. “And if I was Vegas, I would definitely put them as the favorite, but I don’t know. We never really talked about that.”
The Dodgers appear to be a top destination for Sasaki, who’s expected to be represented by agent Joel Wolfe of Wasserman. Wolfe is also the current agent for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history last offseason.
Even with the overwhelming connections between the Dodgers and Sasaki, there’s still a process that’ll involve other clubs vying for his services.
What could impact Dodgers’ pursuit of Roki Sasaki?
As it stands, the Dodgers have the biggest bonus pool money available, but if the Marines hold off until the 2025 international signing period, each team’s allotment for the year resets.
The San Diego Padres have Yu Darvish, one of Sasaki’s idols, and they lack the funds for the 2024 signing period to make the proper pitch to him. But if the Marines wait, the Padres are likely to be big players for his services.
However, the Dodgers offer Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, a built-in model of success and six-man rotation for their starters heading into next season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
