Rōki Sasaki Signed Dodgers Contract 'Based on Where I Can Grow as a Player the Most'
The Los Angeles Dodgers' newest headline starting pitcher believes he chose the place that can maximize his talent the most.
During an introductory press conference Wednesday, Rōki Sasaki told reporters his decision to sign with the Dodgers was "purely based on where I can grow as a player the most."
Sasaki added, via ESPN's Alden Gonzalez:
"I spent the past month both embracing and reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to choose a place purely based on where I can grow as a player the most. Every organization helped me in its own way, and it was an incredibly difficult decision to choose just one. I am fully aware that there are many different opinions out there. But now that I have decided to come here, I want to move forward with the belief that the decision I made is the best one, trust in those who believed in my potential and conviction in the goals that I set for myself."
Los Angeles was far from the only team to pursue Sasaki, and the Toronto Blue Jays might have been its biggest threat. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported shortstop Bo Bichette, outfielder Daulton Varsho and reliever Chad Green were all included in the American League East team's meeting with the right-hander and attempted to pitch him on the club.
Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, also spoke with reporters and denied rumors his client had an agreement in place with the Dodgers while speaking with other teams about a contract.
"I've tried to be an open book and as transparent as possible with all the teams in the league," said Wolfe, who has vehemently denied claims of a pre-determined deal from the onset. "I answer every phone call, I answer every question. This goes back to before the process even started. Every team I think would tell you that I told each one of them where they stood throughout the entire process, why they got a meeting, why they didn't get a meeting, why other teams got a meeting. I tried to do my best to do that. He was only going to be able to pick one."
Yet a report from The Athletic highlighted how Toronto advancing as far as it did in the sweepstakes "puzzled executives throughout the sport" in part because "the Blue Jays are not regarded within the industry as a team that excels at pitching development."
The Dodgers also have far more recent success they can point to after their second World Series title in five years. They have been in the playoffs in each of the last 12 seasons, and anything less than another deep run in 2025 would be a stunning development.
There is also some familiarity in place, as Sasaki was teammates with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Team Japan.
Jack Harris of Yahoo Sports reported Ohtani and Yamamoto met with Sasaki and helped pitch him on choosing the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Tyler Glasnow were also among those who pushed for his signing.
"They wanted him to know how much they were looking forward to having him join them. They wanted him to hear the message," one person familiar with the process said, per Harris. "The players caring that much, I think that was meaningful to him. He didn't have to worry about how he would be perceived. He would be perceived great. And they all wanted him here."
From a baseball perspective, this is a case of the rich getting richer.
Los Angeles had enough talent to win a World Series even if Sasaki signed elsewhere, but he gives the team another weapon in a starting rotation that also features Blake Snell, Yamamoto and Glasnow.
Throw in the possibility of Ohtani returning to the mound during the upcoming season, and opposing teams will not be looking forward to facing the Dodgers.
With his decision, Sasaki can be a meaningful part of a realistic World Series chase.
