Roki Sasaki’s agent has been vocal about the “poor sportsmanship” surrounding the Dodgers rumors, but I couldn’t find any specific information on this topic. However, I can provide some context on Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers rumors.
Roki Sasaki is a highly sought-after Japanese pitcher who currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The Los Angeles Dodgers have been heavily linked to Sasaki, with reports suggesting they will “strongly pursue” him when he becomes available ¹.
*The Posting System*
The Marines have control over Sasaki’s availability due to the posting system between MLB and NPB. This system allows NPB teams to post their players for MLB teams to bid on, but the player must agree to the posting ².
*Sasaki’s Contract Situation*
Sasaki’s contract situation is complex, with some believing he has a clause allowing him to leave for MLB at any time ². However, it appears the Marines have the final say in his posting ².
*Dodgers’ Interest*
The Dodgers have been scouting Sasaki since high school and are reportedly willing to make a significant offer ³. Their interest in Sasaki is understandable, given his impressive performance in NPB, including a 2.01 earned run average in 380 2/3 career innings ².
*Potential Timeline*
Sasaki’s availability is uncertain, with some reports suggesting he may not join MLB until 2027 ². However, the Dodgers are likely to be patient, having already secured Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto ⁴ ¹.
Keep in mind that the situation is fluid, and more information may become available as the offseason progresses.
