Los Angeles Dodgers Secure Star Japanese Pitcher Roki Sasaki on Minor-League Deal
Sasaki, the 23-year-old right-hander, joins the defending World Series champions after a suspenseful offseason.
LOS ANGELES — Roki Sasaki, one of the most coveted international free-agent pitchers in baseball, is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 23-year-old right-hander announced on social media Friday.
Sasaki revealed that he had signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers, although the terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a post translated from Japanese to English, Sasaki shared his excitement and gratitude:
“I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to look back and feel it was the right one after my baseball career. I look forward to wearing the Dodgers uniform at the opening conference and thanking everyone who has supported me,” he wrote on Instagram.
Sasaki, a standout in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, joins a roster already rich with international talent. The Dodgers recently made headlines by signing reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract, and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the team in 2023 on a 12-year, $325 million deal. Both players played crucial roles in the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory.
The signing of Sasaki follows an intense offseason that saw multiple teams, including the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants, vying for the young pitcher’s services. Sasaki initially requested private meetings with teams, adding to the intrigue surrounding his decision. By Monday, Sasaki had narrowed his options down to the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Padres.
The Dodgers were seen as favorites due to Sasaki’s connections with Ohtani and Yamamoto, as well as the team’s star-studded lineup. The Padres, however, were also strong contenders, as Sasaki would reunite with his former mentor, accomplished Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.
Despite the high demand, Sasaki’s deal is not as lucrative as those of other high-profile international players like Ohtani. Under MLB’s rules, international players under 25 are considered amateurs and can only sign minor-league contracts with additional bonuses.
Sasaki, who has a career ERA of 2.10 and 505 career strikeouts with a 29-15 record, earned widespread recognition in 2022 when he threw Japan’s first perfect game in nearly 30 years, against the Orix Buffaloes. His exceptional talent earned him the nickname “The Monster of the Reiwa Era.”
However, Sasaki remains humble about his journey, acknowledging that he still has much to learn. “Roki is by no means a finished product,” said his agent, Joel Wolfe. “He knows it, and the teams know it. He’s incredibly talented, but he is someone who wants to be great. He’s not here just for money or fame. He wants to be one of the greatest ever.”