The Dodgers will get another break in the free agent market like Shohei Ohtani thanks to Rocky Sasaki

Los Angeles Dodgers Last winter they signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two superstars who once led NPB in Japan. They could add another young Japanese hurler to the lineup this winter. Rocky Sasaki.

Unlike Otani and Yamamoto, Sasaki has not yet developed into a better version of himself. Sure, Sasaki’s fastball is electric—some scouts have it up to 102 mph—but he also has pitching issues, and he’s just 23 years old.

Due to his age, Sasaki has several options. He is young enough to stay with the Chiba Lotte Marines in the NPB, or he can get his wish and be sent to the MLB. If Sasaki is lucky enough to get the latter option, he won’t sign a loaded contract like Yamamoto or Ohtani. Rather, his deal will closely resemble Shohei’s first deal, which he signed with the Angels. The current CBA classifies Sasaki as an amateur, meaning his contract could be worth around $7.56 million. Sasaki will receive a signing bonus of $11 million. according to MLB trade rumors.

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Sasaki has a lot to gain by waiting until he’s 25 to sign an MLB contract. Like Yamamoto, Sasaki would then not be declared an amateur and could sign a lucrative deal. However, Sasaki is impatient and wants to play in the same league as his Japanese counterparts right away.

Per Francis RomeroChiba Lotte Marines offered Sasaki a contract this week, but he declined. It’s unclear what the next step in this saga will be, but it’s clear where Sasaki is leaning. He would rather play in the MLB, which he considers the highest level of competition.

The Dodgers would like to revamp their starting rotation this winter. While they have many options to do so – including potentially allowing Ohtani to pitch next season – Sasaki would make a lot of sense. Heck, they already have a chance since Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki played in the same tournament. World Baseball Classic team.

Add in the fact that Sasaki can be acquired relatively cheaply, and this looks to be a major breakthrough for an already cash-strapped Dodgers team. It seems the only thing standing in their way are the Chiba Lotte Marines. If they stand firm and refuse to accommodate Sasaki, the Dodgers’ hands will be tied.

We can only hope.