“Best rotation in all of baseball,” MLB insider comments on Dodgers ‘probably’ signing ace pitcher Roki Sasaki and 2025 lineup

MLB teams are in a race to sign ace pitcher Roki Sasaki apart from one team, the Philadelphia Phillies, as per reports.

“Best rotation in all of baseball,” MLB insider comments on Dodgers ‘probably’ signing ace pitcher Roki Sasaki and 2025 lineup

Roki Sasaki [Image Credit: The Washington Post]

MLB teams have started meeting with Japanese ace pitcher Roki Sasaki after his posting was finalized by the Chiba Lotte Marines. So far, the NY Yankees, NY Mets, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres have participated in the race.

However, the one name that many think is “probably” the favorites to sign Sasaki is the Los Angeles Dodgers. They already have a strong Japanese connection through two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield mentioned that the San Diego Padres might be the ones to land the ace pitcher, as they have Yu Darvish in the lineup. Darvish is Roki Sasaki’s favorite player and it might be the team where he lands. 

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However, the Cubs and Texas Rangers are also an option. The NY Yankees have already met with the pitcher and his agent Joel Wolfe. They have time and again talked about their intentions of adding Sasaki to the lineup, but his agent reiterated how a smaller market might be best for his debut.

Wolfe also mentioned how it all depends on Sasaki and if he truly wants to join any NY teams he can do so if a smaller market is not the issue. On the other hand, MLB commentator Greg Amsinger of MLB Network commented on how the Dodgers will be the best team with Sasaki’s addition.

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He believes with Sasaki, Yamamoto, Ohtani, and Blake Snell in rotation, the Dodgers will be “BY FAR the best rotation in all of baseball.” It’s a guessing time for insiders on Sasaki’s possible landing spot. The rookie is expected to make his decision within the 45-day window from his posting.

Will harsh media experience in Japan lead Roki Sasaki to pursue smaller market in MLB?

Roki Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe mentioned how his experience with the media in Japan mentally pressured him during his move to international waters. He spoke on how a small team with no high media attention might be better for Sasaki’s debut considering his experience in Japan.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (Image via ESPN)

For now, the teams are meeting with Sasaki and his agent after pitching their presentation virtually. Both NY teams have met with the star pitcher and the others are on their way to do so. Details of any meetings have not been revealed. The Philadelphia Phillies on the other hand, haven’t been invited to the recruiting process.

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However, where he’ll end up joining is totally up to Sasaki. There’s no way of knowing which team is a favorite at this point, although the fingers point towards LA. The amateur free-agency battle is already on its way and it’ll be interesting to predict and see which team he really joins for his major league debut.