MLB
Where will Roki Sasaki land? We look further afield than Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Dodgers are widely considered front runners for the Japanese ace, but we consider alternative teams who could make a run.
Roki Sasaki, Japan’s 23-year-old phenom, is about to hit the international baseball scene in a way that could reshape MLB rotations for years. With his blazing fastball and devastating splitter, the right-hander is set to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines by December 15. Sasaki is young, talented, and marketable - a dream acquisition.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are favorites to snag him, given their history of blockbuster signings and their West Coast allure. But what if Sasaki charts a different path? Let’s explore some intriguing alternatives that could shake up the league.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle might be the most natural fit for Sasaki outside of Los Angeles. The Mariners have a strong track record with Japanese players, from Ichiro Suzuki to Hisashi Iwakuma. Ichiro remains a revered figure, and his presence could help the Mariners pitch their case to Sasaki.
On the field, the Mariners already boast a stellar rotation with Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby. Adding Sasaki to that mix could make Seattle’s pitching staff the most formidable in baseball. The team led MLB with a 3.38 ERA last season, and Sasaki’s electric arm would only enhance their dominance.
Seattle also offers geographic and cultural familiarity for Japanese players. The city’s strong ties to Japan and its location on the Pacific Coast make it an appealing destination. Sasaki in a Mariners uniform feels like a match that could write the next great chapter in Seattle’s history.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are known for their bold moves, and Sasaki would fit right in. Joining Yu Darvish in San Diego’s rotation would give Sasaki a mentor and a teammate who understands the challenges of transitioning from NPB to MLB.
More than that, a Padres-Dodgers rivalry featuring Sasaki against Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto could elevate the NL West to legendary status. Sasaki’s arrival in San Diego would be about more than just numbers—it would be about drama, competition, and the thrill of trying to beat the best.
The Padres might be long shots financially, but their penchant for making waves can’t be underestimated. Adding Sasaki would be the ultimate statement in their quest to dethrone the Dodgers.
Boston Red Sox
Boston isn’t the first team to come to mind when you think about Sasaki’s landing spots. Reports suggest that Sasaki has a preference for West Coast teams, but the Red Sox have a lot going for them. Boston offers a passionate fanbase, a city steeped in baseball tradition, and a market where Sasaki could become a star.
The Red Sox have been rebuilding, with young talents like Brayan Bello and Wilyer Abreu showing promise. Pairing Sasaki with Bello could anchor the rotation for years. The Sox are reportedly in the hunt for one of the big free-agent arms - Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, or Max Fried - but adding Sasaki to that mix would send a strong message that Boston is serious about returning to contention.
Endorsement opportunities in Boston wouldn’t match what Sasaki might find in New York or Los Angeles, but they’re nothing to sneeze at. In a division as competitive as the AL East, every edge matters, and Sasaki could be the missing piece.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are fresh off their first postseason appearance in a decade, but they need more firepower to maintain momentum. Detroit’s young roster, led by Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, looks ready to make a splash in the AL Central. Adding Sasaki could transform their rotation into one of the league’s best.
President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris seems eager to make big moves. Landing Sasaki would signal that Detroit isn’t just content with reaching the postseason - they want to dominate. Imagine a rotation with Skubal, Sasaki, and top prospect Jackson Jobe. That trio could anchor the team for years and make Detroit a legitimate contender.
The Tigers also have a cultural edge. Sasaki would join fellow Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda in the clubhouse, which could help with his transition to MLB life. Detroit might not be the flashiest destination, but it’s a team on the rise with plenty of room for a young star to shine.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals are in the middle of a rebuild, but there’s a sense of optimism in D.C. With young talents like CJ Abrams, James Wood, and Dylan Crews, the Nationals have a core that’s starting to come together. What they lack is a true ace, and that’s where Sasaki fits in.
At just 23, Sasaki aligns perfectly with Washington’s timeline. He wouldn’t just be a piece of the puzzle; he’d be the cornerstone of the rotation. Pairing him with promising arms like MacKenzie Gore could accelerate the Nationals’ path back to contention.
The Nationals might not have the glitz of the Dodgers or the Mariners’ history with Japanese players, but they can offer something just as enticing: the chance to grow with a young, dynamic team that’s hungry to win.
Pittsburgh Pirates
If you’re looking for a team that could turn heads by signing Sasaki, Pittsburgh is it. The idea of pairing Sasaki with Paul Skenes is enough to make any baseball fan’s imagination run wild. Skenes and Sasaki are two of the most hyped pitching prospects in years, and putting them in the same rotation would make the Pirates must-see TV.
Both pitchers throw triple digits, and both have unhittable secondary pitches. Together, they could anchor a Pirates rotation that rivals anything in baseball. Pittsburgh hasn’t been known for big signings, but bringing in Sasaki would signal a new era for the franchise.
The Pirates have young talent, and adding Sasaki would put them on a faster track to contention. It’s a long shot, but one worth dreaming about.
Sasaki’s destination is one of the biggest questions of the offseason. Whether he ends up in Los Angeles or surprises everyone by signing elsewhere, one thing is certain: he’s going to be a game-changer. For now, all we can do is speculate - and dream.
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