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<\/p>\nIf Nippon Professional Baseball star Roki Sasaki leaves Japan for Major League Baseball this offseason, would he sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sasaki, who helped Team Japan win gold at the World Baseball Classic in 2023, is one of the most sought after international prospects. The right-hander has drawn the attention of MLB thanks to his phenomenal fastball, which has reached 102.5 mph.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers potentially could have an advantage in luring Sasaki thanks to the popularity of the team in Japan. The Dodgers have two of the biggest Japanese superstars on their team in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, helping the team\u2019s popularity in Japan. This popularity has especially shown in the 2024 MLB postseason, with the Dodgers drawing millions of viewers from Japan despite the time zone difference.<\/p>\n
Read more: Shohei Ohtani Acknowledges Fans in Japan Watching Dodgers Postseason<\/p>\n
The Dodgers are also set to play in Japan next season, with the team scheduled to take on the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome to open the season.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he believes the Dodgers\u2019 brand in Japan will give them an advantage in signing Sasaki.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope so. Absolutely,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cWe\u2019re thinking alike now. Good for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ezoic
\nUSA Today\u2019s Bob Nightengale told Dodgers Nation\u2019s Doug McKain in September that the Dodgers should have an advantage in bringing in Sasaki.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though he\u2019s kind of a country kid from the farm, I think having Ohtani there, Yamamoto there would make him comfortable, say \u2018you know what? I\u2019d rather go where I have some friends,’\u201d Nightengale said.<\/p>\n
Nightengale added: \u201cI think all 30 teams will be on him, like Ohtani. \u2026 All the teams on the West Coast have an advantage because it\u2019s a lot closer to home. You\u2019re not adding another 4-5 hour trip. \u2026 Particularly having Ohtani and Yamamoto on the team can help (the Dodgers) out.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lone concern for the Dodgers could be Sasaki\u2019s injury history. Sasaki missed time during the 2024 season because of an arm injury, and the Dodgers already have a rotation susceptible to injuries. The injury risk might not scare the Dodgers away from signing Sasaki \u2014 they did trade for and extend Tyler Glasnow last December \u2014 but the Dodgers will have to be weary of managing him well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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