Roki Sasaki, a standout Japanese pitcher, has announced his intention to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning World Series champions. The 23-year-old right-hander, known for his impressive fastball that can exceed 100 mph, is set to join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in what many within the baseball community have anticipated for some time.
In his Instagram post, Sasaki expressed that this was a challenging choice but one he believes is right for his baseball career. He looks forward to donning the Dodgers uniform and appreciates the support he has received throughout his journey.
The Dodgers have been proactive, having $5,146,200 available in their international signing bonus pool at the time of Sasaki’s announcement. This may increase as they can make trades in the coming week to boost their budget by up to 60%. Shortly after the announcement, the team traded a minor league outfielder to the Cincinnati Reds to gain additional international signing cap space.
To help with Sasaki’s transition into Major League Baseball, the Dodgers plan to implement a six-man pitching rotation. This strategy not only allows for a smoother adjustment for Sasaki but also contributes to the team’s goal of becoming the first back-to-back champions since the New York Yankees achieved this feat in 2000.
Sasaki was made available to MLB teams under the posting agreement with Japan’s Pacific League, and because he is under 25 and lacks six years of service in NPB, he qualifies as an international amateur. This means he will be on a minor league contract, subject to the restrictions of signing pools. The Chiba Lotte Marines, his current team, will receive a release fee based on a percentage of his signing bonus.
Sasaki’s agent clarified that there was no prior agreement with the Dodgers, emphasizing that the process was fair and transparent, following an investigation by MLB.
Last season, Sasaki pitched exceptionally well, compiling a 2.35 ERA and striking out 129 batters over 111 innings, despite dealing with some injuries. His career record stands at 29 wins and 15 losses, with an impressive 2.10 ERA across four seasons.
The Dodgers are set to kick off their spring training on February 11 in Glendale, Arizona, culminating in an exciting opening series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and 19.
