Division Duel: Rival Team Joins Fray for…
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024. Former Nippon Professional Baseball stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were a big part of their championship season. The Dodgers are expected to pursue another Japanese phenom in Rōki Sasaki, but the San Diego Padres could get in the way.
During a Bleacher Report livestream, Major League Baseball insider, Jon Heyman revealed that the Dodgers are a “heavy favorite” to land Sasaki, but the San Diego Padres could threaten them as Sasaki’s next team.
“I had the Padres as the next choice (for Sasaki),” said Heyman. “I’ve heard that from other teams. He has a connection with (Yu) Darvish and the Padres could be a spot. Obviously, San Diego is beloved as I said. (Juan) Soto loved living in San Diego, maybe Sasaki will too.”
Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki and Yu Darvish were all teammates in the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Japan won. Heyman noted that the Dodgers are favorites to land Sasaki, despite the connection with Darvish in San Diego.
“I think the Dodgers are the heavy favorite for Rōki Sasaki,” said Heyman. “Fantastic pitcher and the belief is he wants to go to the Dodgers. We heard west coast for Yamamoto. Other teams didn’t believe it and it turned out to be true. He ended up going to the Dodgers. Dodgers have a great thing going, certainly with Ohtani and Yamamoto. Sasaki has seen how well they’ve done.”
Sasaki has the potential to be a No.1 starter and teams have a chance to sign him with funds from the international bonus pool. Surely many teams will be interested, but perhaps the Padres and Dodgers have the best chance to get him.
