The Dodgers have become the pipeline for Japanese players in Major League Baseball, and the team will look to make history with their roster this season.
Japanese ace Roki Sasaki announced his intention to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, choosing the defending World Series champions over the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, among other teams who showed interest in obtaining his services.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record-setting 12-year, $325 million contract last offseason, which represented the longest and richest deal for a pitcher in MLB history.
The prized righty pitcher was one of the most sought-after international free agents in recent memory and picked the Dodgers over a considerable list of other suitors.
While most of the MLB world outside the Los Angeles area wasn't thrilled to learn of Sasaki's decision, Dodgers minority owner Magic Johnson certainly was excited. The Los Angeles Lakers legend welcomed Sasaki to Dodger Stadium by gifting him a signed No. 32 Magic Johnson jersey.
Dodgers fans can get their own Sasaki jersey, T-shirt or other gear at Fanatics. This link will send you to Sasaki’s section on Fanatics, which will carry his merchandise. The jersey number will update when it is official what number he will wear for the Dodgers.
Sasaki’s résumé in just a short amount of time in Japan is nothing short of legendary. During his tenure with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), he posted a jaw-dropping 2.02 ERA and racked up 524 strikeouts in just over 414 innings.
After much speculation, the hard-throwing Japanese pitcher posts his decision on Instagram, choosing to play with countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Los Angeles.
One conversation was reportedly "key" to the Los Angeles Dodgers landing 23-year-old Japanese stud Roki Sasaki. The flame-throwing right-hander Sasaki
On Thursday it was reported that Roki Sasaki would be joining the rotation that includes Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
Rōki Sasaki may have taken a pay cut in order to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The San Diego Padres were willing to offer Sasaki more than $10