A wild rumor involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has taken the baseball world by storm, thanks to a former MLB pitcher’s provocative comments. The claim, suggesting that the Dodgers are front-runners to land Sasaki when he makes the leap to Major League Baseball, has not only ignited excitement among Dodgers fans but also left their San Diego Padres rivals fuming.
The speculation began during a podcast episode featuring the retired pitcher, whose reputation for stirring the pot is well-known among baseball circles. The former player hinted that the Dodgers are already laying the groundwork to secure Sasaki, a 22-year-old sensation from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, who has been dazzling scouts with his 100-mph fastball and pinpoint control.
“They’ve got the resources, the scouting connections in Japan, and the track record with players like Ohtani in free agency talks,” the pitcher said. “If Sasaki comes to the MLB, the Dodgers will make sure he’s wearing blue.”
While no concrete evidence supports these claims, the mere suggestion has sent shockwaves across the league, given Sasaki’s potential to become a generational talent.
The Padres and Dodgers share one of the fiercest rivalries in baseball, and any rumor of the Dodgers landing a prized international star strikes a nerve in San Diego. Padres fans have voiced their frustration on social media, pointing out the disparity in spending power between the two franchises.
“The Dodgers always buy their way to success, and this would be no different,” one Padres supporter tweeted. Others expressed concern that Sasaki could tilt the balance of power in the NL West further in Los Angeles’ favor.
Adding fuel to the fire, Padres fans were reminded of recent high-profile players who slipped through San Diego’s fingers due to financial limitations or lack of aggressive pursuit.
Sasaki’s appeal is undeniable. The right-hander gained international fame in 2022 by throwing a perfect game with 19 strikeouts, the first perfect game in NPB in over 28 years. His dominance on the mound, combined with his youth, makes him one of the most coveted players in the global baseball market.
MLB scouts have compared Sasaki’s potential impact to that of Shohei Ohtani, though Sasaki focuses exclusively on pitching. If he signs with the Dodgers, he would immediately bolster their rotation, potentially forming a formidable partnership with stars like Walker Buehler and Julio Urías.
The Dodgers have remained tight-lipped about the rumor, following their standard practice of avoiding public comments on prospective signings. However, their history of investing heavily in international talent lends credibility to the speculation. From Hyun-Jin Ryu to Kenta Maeda, the Dodgers have consistently scouted and signed top-tier players from Asian leagues.
Sasaki is under contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines and is not expected to be posted for MLB availability until after the 2024 season. If and when he is posted, teams will engage in a bidding war for his services, with the Dodgers, Padres, and several other big-market clubs likely in the mix.
While the rumor remains unsubstantiated, the prospect of Roki Sasaki donning a Dodgers uniform has already shaken up the MLB community. For Dodgers fans, it’s a tantalizing possibility. For Padres supporters, it’s a bitter reminder of their rival’s spending power and influence. As the Sasaki sweepstakes loom on the horizon, this is only the beginning of what promises to be a dramatic offseason storyline.
