The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again.
In a move that could shape the future of their rotation and further solidify their global reach, the Dodgers signed Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.
The 23-year-old genius pitcher plans to bring an electric arm to Dodger Stadium to excite fans and strike fear into opposing batting lines. He announced the decision himself on his Instagram on Friday afternoon.
The blockbuster deal ends weeks of speculation as Sasaki narrowed his options down to three finalists: the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays.
While the Padres and Blue Jays offered attractive pitches, the lure of the Dodgers’ storied history, winning record, and opportunity to play with compatriots Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani proved too strong to resist.
Sasaki’s resume in just a short time in Japan is nothing short of legendary. While with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan Baseball Organization (NPB), he posted an astonishing ERA of 2.02 and had 524 strikeouts in just over 414 innings.
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Known for his triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter, Sasaki has been described as a “generational talent” by scouts on both sides of the Pacific.
Unlike his countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a record 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers last winter, Sasaki’s unique status as an international amateur free agent makes this deal a relative bargain. are.
According to MLB’s international contract rules, Sasaki’s contract value is capped at approximately $5 million to $6 million, a small amount to pay for a talent many believe can anchor a rotation for the next 10 years. is.
By keeping Sasaki at the club’s helm until 2030, the Dodgers have secured a potential ace who will be cost-effective for years to come. This gives the team incredible flexibility to continue building around an already talented roster.
The Dodgers have long been pioneers in the international market, from Hideo Nomo to Chan-ho Park to Shohei Ohtani to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Adding Sasaki to their rich tapestry of global stars underscores their commitment to embracing baseball’s international reach.
Sasaki will join a Dodgers rotation that is expected to be one of, if not the best in all of baseball in 2025.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, three-time Eiji Sawamura Award winner (Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award) Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 2024 All-Star Tyler Glasnow, and three-time MVP Award winner Ohtani. Shohei, 2022 All-Star is the main player Starring Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Landon Knack, and ultimately three-time Cy Young Award winner and former MVP Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers’ rotation formed one of the most formidable starting units in baseball history. Probably.
Dodgers fans won’t have to wait long to see their newest star. Sasaki is expected to completely skip the minor leagues and make his MLB debut in 2025. His addition will not only boost the Dodgers’ title hopes, but will also ignite excitement throughout the league.
Congratulations once again to all Dodgers fans, Aki Sasaki is here.
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