Roki Sasaki's Potential Signing with the LA Dodgers Champions
The Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing their splurge in the free agent market, announced the signing of right-hander Roki Sasaki through an Instagram post. The move comes after committing a substantial $700 million to fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani last winter.
While the Dodgers' wallet might be feeling a bit lighter, this acquisition is a drop in the bucket compared to their previous investment in Ohtani. Sasaki, a desired pitcher on the market, might surpass even high-profile signings like Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes, and Max Fried due to unique circumstances surrounding his departure from the Nippon Professional Baseball league.
At just 24, Sasaki brings a powerful combination of a 100 mph fastball and a solid understanding of his craft, which has impressed the scouts who watched his time with Chiba Lotte Marines. Furthermore, his age makes him an exceptional value in today's increasingly expensive league, where affordability is a primary concern.
As major league baseball considers Sasaki an international free agent, his terms and conditions differ from those of domestic draft picks. Although he will receive a $6.5 million signing bonus and start his major league career on the minimum salary in 2025, Sasaki's pay scale remains the same. He will become eligible for arbitration in his fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons, which could significantly boost his salary.
Limited Earning Cap in the Initial Years
Sasaki's salary will be capped in the early years. His signing bonus, which amounts to $6.5 million, will finance his initial major league stint. Moreover, presuming the minimum salary for 2025 remains around $760,000, Sasaki will earn that amount during the 2025 season.
His eligibility for arbitration commences in his fourth season, and by this point, his income could skyrocket significantly. As a free agent in his seventh year, Sasaki will have more control over his pay.
Joel Wolfe, Sasaki's agent, confirmed that the ace's success at the World Baseball Classic, alongside Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, served as a major motivator in his decision to relocate to the United States early.
Aiming for Steady Progress
Sasaki's journey mirrors that of Shohei Ohtani, who joined the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent in 2018. After six lucrative seasons in Orange County, Ohtani then inked a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, breaking the record for the largest free agent contract in major league history.
By joining the major leagues at an early age, Sasaki likewise primes himself for a substantial payday when he becomes a free agent after the 2030 season, unless the Dodgers choose to intervene. In his six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani pocketed $40.395 million.
Sasaki's addition will further bolster the Dodgers' rotation, which currently includes Snell, Glasnow, and Kershaw, expected to sign an extension with the team afterward. The Dodgers may also consider employing a six-man rotation when all players are healthy.
Ohtani, who clinched the NL MVP award unanimously after accomplishing the historic 50-homer, 50-stolen base season in 2022, will not be ready to pitch at the start of the 2025 season due to ongoing elbow recovery. Although Ohtani is predicted to take the mound sooner than later, he is expected to participate in spring training to ensure he's fully recovered.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres set their sights on Sasaki as their premier offseason target, but with the promising pitcher now on the Dodgers' roster, the Padres will have to reassess their options for reinforcement in the rotation. Toronto Blue Jays, considered a potential choice by Sasaki after both New York teams, Boston, San Francisco, and the Chicago Cubs were eliminated from contention for his signature.
Dodgers Land Another High-Potential Star
Despite Snell capturing the Dodgers' attention earlier in the winter with a five-year, $182 million contract, Corbin Burnes clinched the title of the highest-paid pitcher on the market after signing a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Max Fried inscribed an eight-year, $218 million deal surrounding by Creative Artists Agency management.
After Yamamoto joined Ohtani and Glasnow in the Dodgers' $1 billion+ splurge a year ago by securing a 12-year, $325 million contract, Imanaga became their fourth high-value acquisition. His impressive run in Chicago Cubs resulted in a 4-year, $53 million free agent deal, and he ultimately finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Sasaki's dominance with Chiba Lotte in the previous three years included a combined 26-13 win-loss record and a 2.13 ERA. His near-perfect performance included 437 strikeouts in 321 1/3 innings, resulting in an impressive 10-5 record and a 2.35 ERA in the most recent season.
[1] https://mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/roki-sasaki-latest.html
[2] https://www.nbcsports.com/la/dodgers/roki-sasaki-signs-minor-league-contract-value-6-5-million-reportedly
[3] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34383533/roki-sasaki-signs-minor-league-contract-los-angeles-dodgers
[4] https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/mlb-news/article8095593.html
- Yu Darvish, a fellow Japanese player in MLB, congratulated Roki Sasaki on his signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, expressing his excitement for the newcomer.
- Shota Imanaga, another Japanese player, noted the Dodgers' continued investment in Japanese talents, and expressed his support for Sasaki in his new journey.
- Blake Snell and other high-profile pitchers in MLB were impressed by Sasaki's accomplishments in Nippon Professional Baseball and welcomed him to the competitive MLB scene.
- Scott Boras, a renowned sports agent, played a significant role in securing Sasaki's deal with the Dodgers, adding yet another high-potential star to his impressive roster of clients.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Dodgers teammate and fellow Japanese player, shared his excitement for Sasaki's arrival and the possibility of strengthening the team's dominance in MLB.
