Inside the Dodgers’ seven-year pursuit of Rōki Sasaki, their foothold in Japan and the battle for MLB's next potential pitching star.
Pitchers and catchers have started to report around Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers' quest for back-to-back championships is underway.
The New York Mets have made two blockbuster moves this offseason to potentially help them dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League. They could make one more to close the gap even more.
Sasaki, 23, agreed to a deal with the Dodgers in January with a signing bonus reportedly worth $6.5 million. He pitched for Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines in 2024, posting a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and recording 129 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched.
Milwaukee has made the playoffs six times in seven years, but owner Mark Attanasio says the club can't afford to spend money on players like NY and LA.
Sasaki, who has been one of the most intriguing arms in Japan dating back to his high school days, saw his stuff take a slight step back this year as he dealt with injuries. Durability is his ...