Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, considered the hottest international free agent in baseball, has signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 23-year-old right-hander made the announcement on social media and expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him. Sasaki is following in the footsteps of other Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who have found success in MLB.
Sasaki’s signing with the Dodgers comes after a suspenseful offseason where multiple teams courted him, including the Padres, Blue Jays, Yankees, Cubs, and Giants. Despite interest from various teams, Sasaki ultimately chose the Dodgers, with whom he will join former teammates Ohtani and Yamamoto. The Padres were also strong contenders, as Sasaki would have reunited with his mentor Yu Darvish.
Sasaki’s contract with the Dodgers is not as lucrative as those signed by other international players due to MLB rules. He will begin with a minor-league deal and will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses. Sasaki had an impressive career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, pitching a perfect game in 2022 and earning the nickname “the Monster of the Reiwa Era.”
His agent Joel Wolfe emphasized that Sasaki is not a finished product and is determined to become one of the greatest players in MLB. Despite his talent and past accomplishments, Sasaki is focused on continuing to learn and grow in the Major Leagues.
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