Roki Sasaki Announces Intent to Sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Roki Sasaki, the acclaimed 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from Japan, has confirmed via Instagram his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who recently won the World Series. Sasaki, known for his impressive fastball that can exceed 100 mph, will be joining other notable Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were also in the running to secure Sasaki, who has until next Thursday to finalize his contract.

The Dodgers currently have access to $5,146,200 in international signing bonuses, with the potential to increase this figure by up to 60 percent through trades in the coming week. To facilitate Sasaki’s transition into Major League Baseball, the team plans to implement a six-man rotation, a strategy that may ease the adjustment for the new player as the Dodgers aim to become the first team since the New York Yankees to win back-to-back titles from 1998 to 2000.

Sasaki's availability for MLB teams has stemmed from the Chiba Lotte Marines, representing Japan’s Pacific League, through the posting system established between Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball. Given that he is under 25 years old and has not completed six years of service time in NPB, he is categorized as an international amateur in the MLB, which restricts him to a minor league contract governed by signing pools. The Marines will receive a release fee equivalent to 25% of Sasaki's signing bonus.

Last season, Sasaki recorded a 10-5 win-loss record with a 2.35 ERA over 18 games and tallied 129 strikeouts in 111 innings, although his performance was curtailed by shoulder issues. In 2023, he achieved a 7-4 record with a remarkable 1.78 ERA in 15 starts, despite suffering from an oblique injury. Overall, his career stats include a 29-15 record and a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Marines, highlighted by a perfect game pitched against Orix in April 2022. The Dodgers are set for their first spring training workout on February 11 in Glendale, Arizona, as they prepare for their opening two-game series against the Chicago Cubs scheduled for March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.