The Dodgers’ signing of Roki Sasaki was like a Hollywood script. Perfect, perhaps too perfect. At just 23, Roki was the crown jewel of Japan’s NPB. Teams lined up, hopeful to win his favor. And yet, as the dust settled, the Dodgers emerged victorious, leaving multiple questions in the team’s wake.

Even MLB’s official analysis has not eased suspicions. They insisted the signing was fair, however, critics are not convinced. Competitor teams, betrayed fans as well as insiders wonder: was this a preordained deal, whispered over a quiet handshake months ago? The facts could clear the team on paper, however, doubts linger. We will explore why.

Small markets, big doubts, why the Dodgers?

“We prefer he is in a smaller media market after the way he has been treated by the Japanese tabloid media,” says Jim Allen. “He is not coming just to be rich,” added Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent. All such headlines circulated in the MLB world for months. And yet, Roki Sasaki chose the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, why not? Who would not need to be part of the best? With seven World Series titles, the team established a winning culture that is tough to resist. The $230+ million payroll ensures the team can attract the world’s top talent. However, if this is the situation, why were contradictory narratives related to quieter landings circulated so widely? That’s the contradiction we will assess next.

Despite MLB’s clean chit, analysts argue that the speed with which Roki Sasaki made his decision enhanced red flags. “Even if the league has given a clean chit, we cannot believe there was no handshake agreement. But we can not prove it“, said Alden González. Such situations are not new. For instance, Shohei Ohtani agreed to go with Los Angeles Angels in 2017, with just 2.3 million US dollars. Far less than his market value and it raises eyebrows. In addition, Masahiro Tanaka’s 2014 signing with the New York Yankees for $155 million came under suspicion. This doubt enhances when considering how much the Dodgers paid to win Sasaki’s services. And it is enhancing concerns related to whether fair play was truly at work.

The Dodgers gamble of Roki Sasaki, at what cost?

To secure Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers sacrificed some vital players. The team parted ways with outfield prospects, like, Teilon Serrano, who joined the Minnesota Twins for $900,000. There is Darrell Morel, who was signed by the Padres for $1.8 million. In total, the Dodgers lost four outfielders as well as one infielder, freeing up $7.5 million in bonus pool money. This enables the team to provide Roki Sasaki a $6.5 million signing bonus. But such moves affect the team’s depth. Losing promising young talent, like, Serrano and Morel, leaves an identical gap in its minor league system.

Is Roki Sasaki the game-transformer the Dodgers need? Despite his incredible power, Sasaki must compete with other stars. For instance, Gerrit Cole, a proven ace from the Yankees, and Yu Darvish from the Padres. In addition, the Atlanta Braves’ pitching rotation, guided by Max Fried, also establishes a high bar. When compared to such proven arms, Roki Sasaki, though highly talented, still has much to prove.

So, the doubt related to Roki Sasaki’s signing with the Dodgers remains unresolved. While MLB claims no proof of a handshake deal, the timing and secrecy fuel skepticism. Whether this gamble guides to a winning trophy can not be made in January and February. Only time will highlight if it was worth it. What do you think? Was this a fair deal or a setup?