The Los Angeles Dodgers look like the inevitable touchdown spot for Roki Sasaki. They’re the reigning World Sequence champions and have a big fanbase in Japan. If not the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres are broadly thought-about one other frontrunner for the free agent.
Each Southern California groups have Japanese-born gamers on their roster. The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto whereas the Padres have Yu Darvish. All three performed alongside Sasaki on the 2023 World Baseball Traditional. Though many individuals issue their presence into the place Sasaki will signal, the right-hander’s agent revealed it’s irrelevant to Sasaki.
Extra information: Roki Sasaki’s Agent Reveals Timeline for Dodgers Goal to Full Course of
“We’ve had quite a few conversations about group location, market dimension, groups’ success … however he doesn’t appear overly involved about whether or not a group has Japanese gamers or not,” Wolfe stated final week on a Zoom name with reporters. “Previously, as I’ve represented Japanese gamers, that was typically a problem, however it was by no means a subject of dialogue.”
Usually, a world free agent could need to be a part of a group that has expertise transitioning gamers into the Main Leagues. Nonetheless, Sasaki appears to have totally different priorities.
Each the Dodgers and Padres supply fascinating places in Southern California. Moreover, each groups are coming off profitable seasons. Due to this fact, the deciding issue for Sasaki could also be market dimension, which differs between the 2 Nationwide League West franchises.
Los Angeles is likely one of the hottest MLB groups, which can be overwhelming to the incoming rookie. In the meantime, the Padres supply a a lot smaller market dimension that may enable Sasaki to transition to the brand new league in a calmer setting.
Wolfe stated that Sasaki could favor a group with a smaller market dimension to start his MLB profession, giving San Diego the higher hand. However, the Dodgers have a historical past of creating blockbuster strikes, and Sasaki has met with a number of different MLB groups along with the Dodgers and Padres
Sasaki will doubtless signal through the subsequent worldwide newbie signing interval, which begins Jan. 15. Till then, the Dodgers will anxiously await his choice.
Extra information: Teoscar Hernández Reveals Why It Took So Lengthy to Signal With Dodgers
Picture Credit score: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports activities
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