Roki Sasaki Predicted to Join Padres Instead of Dodgers, Says MLB Insider
Roki Sasaki, a highly-touted Japanese starting pitcher, is on the verge of starting his Major League Baseball career. However, as of now, Sasaki has not finalized a deal with any MLB team this offseason.
While Sasaki has been closely linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who already have two Japanese-born pitchers on their roster, the San Diego Padres appear to be a strong alternative if the Dodgers don’t secure his signature.
MLB insider David Schoenfield recently predicted that Sasaki might sign with the Padres instead. The Padres, fresh off an impressive postseason performance, present an attractive option with their smaller market compared to the Dodgers. Additionally, San Diego’s roster features Yu Darvish, Sasaki’s former teammate from the 2023 World Baseball Classic and a player Sasaki admired growing up.
“The Padres can pitch their smaller market and the opportunity to play alongside Yu Darvish, who was Sasaki’s childhood hero,” Schoenfield noted.
Darvish has openly expressed his hope to reunite with Sasaki and has even offered to assist the Padres in any discussions with the young pitcher. However, he acknowledged that Sasaki’s decision is ultimately beyond his influence.
Schoenfield also highlighted the importance of finding a team with a pitcher-friendly environment, which makes West Coast teams like the Dodgers, Padres, or even the Seattle Mariners strong contenders. The Mariners, with their reputation for nurturing young pitchers and their pitcher-friendly ballpark, could be a dark horse in the race.
Other potential destinations mentioned by Schoenfield include the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. He noted that Sasaki’s preference for a smaller market may not eliminate big-market teams entirely.
Sasaki has until January 23 to finalize his decision, with the international signing period opening on January 15. Fans can expect the talented pitcher to announce his team of choice within those eight days, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting MLB career.
Leave a Reply