Roki Sasaki, the sensational 23-year-old Japanese right-hander, is set to be one of the most sought-after pitchers this winter. Around 20 major league teams are reportedly in the mix for his services. According to his agent, Joel Wolfe, Sasaki has already met with a select group of teams and is currently considering his options back in Japan. But talks have been going on about how he could’ve focused on a single potential team only, say, probably, the Los Angeles Dodgers!

No matter what, Sasaki must make his final decision by the middle of January. On January 15, the international signing period will formally begin. However, Sasaki can negotiate with MLB teams during his posting window till January 23. So, he has limited time to complete his transition to the top leagues. But Roki Sasaki is not measuring his options with money. What else is there?

Radio host thinks Roki Sasaki should have only stuck to the Dodgers 

The Japanese player is apparently looking for a team that can help him reach his full potential. His agent, Joel Wolfe, says that Sasaki wants to join a club where he feels he can grow and develop into an even better pitcher. Now, think of a team with strong player development systems, pitching coaches, and a proven track record of nurturing young talent. Are you thinking of the Dodgers too? Even radio host Fred Roggin thinks so. He said, “If he wants to be the best, he should have talked to only one team.”  

If Sasaki leaps MLB, there is, of course, concern about his physical readiness. That’s where a team like the Dodgers comes into play. The club has demonstrated an ability to manage pitcher health and development. Despite missing key arms like Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller, and Clayton Kershaw during their World Series run in 2024, the Dodgers won. How? Well, the club takes care of advanced analytics, player, and workload management. As Roggin put it, “If Sasaki wanted the best, he should have only talked to one team and that is the Dodgers.” 

What are the Dodgers doing to get the Japanese pitcher? 

When it comes to team meetings, in particular, Roki Sasaki is adopting a very active and concentrated approach to his decision-making process. According to Joel Wolfe, Sasaki specifically requested that no players attend his discussions with Major League Baseball teams. This explains why the Dodgers did not include Japanese talents Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani in their presentation.

Sasaki is attempting to concentrate entirely on the team’s organizational fit by keeping players out of the discussions. It also implies that he is eager to reach this conclusion on his own. The Los Angeles Dodgers, as anticipated, were among the first few teams to meet with Roki Sasaki, pitching the budding sensation prior to the holidays. The Wasserman Media Group’s Westwood offices served as the venue for the meeting.  

However, there were other teams competing for Sasaki’s attention besides the Dodgers. Rumor has it that the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants also had an opportunity to court the hard-throwing right-hander. These teams are all keen to expand their rosters with an electric arm.

Who do you think will Roki Sasaki play for? Share your thoughts in the comments below.