Dodgers Looking at Another Japanese Pitcher for Rotation

All the talk around the Dodgers this offseason has been about them going after Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But LA also has a major interest in another pitcher from Japan, one that could serve them better down the line.

That would be Roki Sasaki, who may not be posted this winter but hopefully will be soon. The Dodgers have long been interested in him and may hold off on signing another Japanese pitcher for now.

“The Dodgers devoted considerable time to scouting pitching sensation Roki Sasaki this year, hopeful at one point the right-hander would be posted this winter, according to people with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly. Sasaki, however, is not expected to be available for MLB clubs this offseason.”

Per Jack Harris and Jorge Castillo of The LA Times

If the team chooses to wait to go after Sasaki, it will have no bearing on their pursuit of Ohtani this winter. The team has wanted Ohtani since he was in high school, and they have been lining things up to land him.

But they could pass on Yamamoto if the bidding gets to be too high for them. They also know that many Japanese stars don’t like to play on the same team as one another, so their signing of Ohtani could hurt their chances to get Sasaki.

“There’s also an understanding that Japanese stars often prefer not to play on the same major league clubs as other Japanese stars. Ultimately, would signing Ohtani or Yamamoto prevent a pursuit of Sasaki? The answer is unclear.”

Per Jack Harris and Jorge Castillo of The LA Times

Sasaki finished his season with a 1.78 ERA and 135 strikeouts over 91 innings of work for his squad. He may be better than Yamamoto, who is considered the best Japanese pitcher to be coming to the big leagues.

While signing Ohtani could hurt their chances with Sasaki, LA would rather sign the two-way superstar and then have a chance at Sasaki down the line. There will be no shortage of suitors for the Japanese sensation, including a few teams from the NL West.

“In addition to the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are among the teams that have intensely scouted Sasaki, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly. His eventual move to the majors is expected to produce a bidding war. The question is when.”

Per Jack Harris and Jorge Castillo of The LA Times

Whenever Sasaki is posted, expect the Dodgers to be in on him. The team is looking to build their new era of starting pitchers, and he seems to be at the front of the list for them.