.jpg)
5 hours ago
1
The Los Angeles landed Rōki Sasaki this offseason. Sasaki signed as an international amateur, meaning he was only eligible to earn money from the Dodgers' international bonus pool.
The Dodgers gave Sasaki a $6.5 million signing bonus, and he is earning a rookie salary this year. Sasaki left plenty of money on the table by signing with the Dodgers before he turned 25. However, ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed that Sasaki could earn a $200 million deal in the near future.
"Of all those in the groups above $100 million, Sasaki is the biggest wild card," wrote Passan. "He also has some of the best potential of the group, making him a tricky player to place. Between now and November 2030, when the rookie is set to hit free agency, he could very easily blossom into the best pitcher in the world. He also could never find the 100 mph fastball he regularly threw in Japan and wind up a giant case of what could have been. This placement is simply a bet on his splitter, a true unicorn pitch."
Sasaki has a 3.86 ERA in seven starts so far for the Dodgers. He has not been as dominant as he was in Japan, but he is still adjusting to the subtle differences between playing in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball.
Sasaki had 129 strikeouts in 18 games in NPB last season. He is a two-time NPB All-Star and dominated the best players in the world during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. That version of Sasaki has not been seen yet for the Dodgers, but when he settles in, he has the potential to be the best pitcher in the league.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
A $200 million deal would be the fifth most money given to a pitcher, in terms of total value, in the league. If the Dodgers start to see the best version of Sasaki in their uniform, they would likely try to extend him. If he starts playing to his potential he will quickly make himself one of the highest-paid pitchers in baseball.
More MLB: Yankees could cut ties with Paul Goldschmidt in blockbuster deadline trade
English (US)