Dodgers Sacrifice Prospect for Roki Sasaki

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making bold moves as they position themselves to sign Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki. Known for his 102-mph fastball and dominance in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, Sasaki is one of the most sought-after international players in recent memory. The Dodgers’ aggressive restructuring of their international signing strategy shows just how much they value landing the potential ace.

In a notable shift, the Dodgers have delayed signing key players from their 2025 international class, proposing that some prospects instead sign in 2026. Among the ripple effects of this strategy is the loss of Darell Morel, a 6-foot-5 Dominican shortstop with significant power potential. Morel, initially expected to be a centerpiece of the Dodgers’ class, is now set to join the Pittsburgh Pirates for a signing bonus of $1.8 million—almost double what the Dodgers planned to offer.

The Dodgers’ willingness to sacrifice a talent like Morel highlights their determination to secure Sasaki. According to reports, the Dodgers were prepared to spend nearly $2 million on a pair of international prospects, but Sasaki’s potential signing looks to have put a stall to that.

Sasaki’s decision is expected as early as Wednesday, with recent reports from an insider giving the Dodgers a 65% chance of landing him. If successful, the Dodgers would six infinity stone their pitching rotation, potentially creating one of the most dominant staffs in MLB history.

However, Sasaki’s reticence has left uncertainty in its wake. Other teams, like the San Diego Padres, remain in contention, keeping the Dodgers on edge as they await the outcome. For now, LA’s bold gamble proves their commitment to maintaining their status as perennial World Series contenders.

As Sasaki’s decision looms, one question remains: Will the Dodgers’ calculated risk pay off and secure them a generational talent?