MLB’s greatest free agent might not be Juan Soto after all. While the superstar slugger would add some juice to any lineup including the Los Angeles Dodgers, there’s a case to be made that there’s a much better bargain available this offseason.
The name is Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation who won’t sign a contract worth several hundred million like Yoshinobu Yamamoto did a year ago. Since he’s set to be posted as a minor league international free agent, Sasaki’s contract won’t even top $7.5 million. This means all 30 teams should be contenders to sign him, but there’s only one clear frontrunner.
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers Free Agency Big Board 2024-’25: Ranking Dodgers Free Agent Targets
Los Angeles Dodgers emerge as favorites to sign Roki Sasaki
Even though he’s never pitched stateside, Roki Sasaki is being hyped as the next superstar pitcher to go from the NPB to MLB. Sasaki has a fastball that reaches triple digits, and that’s not even his best pitch. He also has what’s been described by Mets president David Stearns as a “nasty splitter.”
Projected to become an ace starting pitcher, Sasaki won’t even become a free agent for another six seasons, giving whichever team that signs him full control until 2030. He’s the biggest bargain since 23-year-old Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $2.315 million in 2017.
Once Ohtani finally hit the open market, the Dodgers pounced on the MVP talent, and now it sounds like many MLB experts expect Los Angeles to do the same with Sasaki.
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are the clear favorites to sign Sasaki.
Dodgers are favored for Sasaki but hearing early word Padres could have a shot (Darvish connection). VERY early odds* (*not to be used for betting purposes)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 11, 2024
Dodgers 1-5 (83 percent)
Padres 9-1 (10 percent)
The Field 15-1 (7 percent)
(The Field is everyone else) https://t.co/yNFLmy8F62
Another MLB insider, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale is hearing the same thing about the Dodgers’ chances to sign Sasaki before the 2025 season begins.
“The Dodgers, who have become Japan’s most beloved team and have the current largest international bonus pool of $2.5 million, certainly are the heavy favorites. There were unfounded rumors that a deal was worked out with the Dodgers and Sasaki nearly a year ago, which has been vehemently denied by the Dodgers and Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe.”
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale
Until Sasaki officially gets posted, it’s hard to say which team has the best chance to sign him. Yet, hearing the Dodgers constantly being linked to one of the best free agents available should get fans excited, even after a World Series win.
Related: 4 Los Angeles Dodgers Free Agent Targets In The Outfield, Including Juan Soto