Did the Dodgers Steal Roki Sasaki?

Roki Sasaki’s signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers has reignited controversy across Major League Baseball, with accusations of a prearranged handshake deal casting a shadow over the process. The Japanese phenom, widely regarded as one of the best young pitchers in the world, agreed to a $6.5 million deal on Friday under MLB’s international amateur signing rules.

As reported by Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times, speculation about Sasaki’s future had been brewing for months, with many teams suspecting the Dodgers held a significant advantage in his recruitment. Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden alleged on Foul Territory that several front offices believed a prearranged agreement existed between Sasaki and the Dodgers before his Japanese club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, officially posted him.

https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1880407758094372926?t=f-8mCO4h9597MrLaUxE-mQ&s=19

Despite the controversy, MLB officials confirmed that an investigation into Sasaki’s posting was conducted before it began. The league interviewed multiple parties to ensure compliance with the posting agreement and found no evidence to support claims of foul play. Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, has also repeatedly denied the allegations, emphasizing that the decision to delay his signing until the 2025 international signing period was made to ensure fairness for all 30 MLB teams.

“MLB rightly wanted to make sure this was a level playing field,” Wolfe said in December, as quoted by Harris. “They did their due diligence, and the rumors of a predetermined deal are simply false.”

As Harris reported, Sasaki’s decision to sign with the Dodgers came after an extensive recruitment process. The 23-year-old pitcher held in-person meetings with multiple teams, including the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Padres, before narrowing his options to three finalists. Ultimately, Sasaki chose the Dodgers, a move likely influenced by their 2024 World Series championship, their reputation for developing pitchers, and the presence of his former Team Japan teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Dodgers entered the 2025 signing period with one of the smallest international bonus pools due to luxury tax penalties, tied with the San Francisco Giants at $5.1 million. However, as detailed in Harris’ report, the team added to their bonus pool via trades before finalizing Sasaki’s deal, ensuring they had sufficient funds to secure the pitcher.

Critics have pointed to the Dodgers’ international bonus pool management in previous years as evidence of a calculated strategy to sign Sasaki. While their actions raised eyebrows, MLB’s investigation confirmed that Los Angeles followed all protocols.

Sasaki’s signing not only strengthens the Dodgers’ already formidable pitching rotation but also underscores the global competition for elite talent in professional baseball. For now, MLB considers the case closed, but the controversy surrounding his signing will likely linger as Sasaki begins his MLB career in Los Angeles.