Japanese free agent is one of the most captivating players available, but unlike other top free agents, he isn’t eligible for a massive contract. His decision will likely be based more on which team he feels is the best fit rather than the highest bidder.
Among the top contenders for Sasaki’s services are National League West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. FanSided’s Michael Brakebill recently predicted Sasaki would choose the Dodgers over the Padres.
“In about a month, Roki Sasaki will be the biggest name left on the market, drawing the most attention of any remaining free agents. With elite talent and only 23 years old, all 30 teams should make a strong pitch to land him.
A West Coast team like the Dodgers makes sense, given their marketability and recent success with Japanese players,” Brakebill said. “Sasaki might not be the face of the franchise in L.A., but he’d have a strong start to his career. The Dodgers are set up to contend for years.”
It’s difficult to predict where Sasaki will land as financials are nearly equal across teams. The Dodgers’ Japanese connections with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto could slightly overshadow Sasaki, while the Padres have Yu Darvish, a former teammate.
Ultimately, only time will reveal where Sasaki decides to sign, with both options being appealing and other teams also in the mix.
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