The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be 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 of 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 Basic. 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 crew location, market dimension, groups’ success … however he doesn’t appear overly involved about whether or not a crew has Japanese gamers or not,” Wolfe mentioned final week on a Zoom name with reporters. “Up to now, as I’ve represented Japanese gamers, that was typically a difficulty, nevertheless it was by no means a subject of debate.”
Sometimes, a world free agent might wish to be part of a crew that has expertise transitioning gamers into the Main Leagues. Nonetheless, Sasaki appears to have completely different priorities.
Each the Dodgers and Padres supply fascinating areas 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 permit Sasaki to transition to the brand new league in a calmer setting.
Wolfe mentioned that Sasaki might desire a crew 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 probably signal in the course of the subsequent worldwide novice 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
Photograph Credit score: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports activities
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