Roki Sasaki's Rising Star

The hype surrounding Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki is reaching a fever pitch as he nears the end of his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Major League Baseball (MLB) executives have been abuzz with speculation about a pre-arranged handshake deal between Sasaki and the Los Angeles Dodgers, a rumor that has since ignited controversy and strong denials from those involved.

Agent's Strong Denial

Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe from Wasserman, vehemently rejected these claims on Wednesday, deeming such insinuations as “poor sportsmanship.” In remarks to The Athletic, he expressed frustration with his peers in the league, suggesting that they should know better than to question his integrity.

Commissioner's Remarks

Amidst the swirl of allegations, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred attempted to shed light on the situation. He indicated that Sasaki is unlikely to sign with any team until after the New Year, a development that could cool the Dodgers' ambitions of securing him. As it stands, Sasaki is set to become an international amateur free agent under MLB's regulations, meaning that teams will bid for his services utilizing their international bonus pool budget.

Dodgers' Bonus Pool Advantage

Currently, the Dodgers possess $2.5 million in their bonus pool for the 2024 signing period, the highest amount across the league. Some baseball insiders believe this foresight is indicative of an expectation that they may land Sasaki. However, Manfred clarified that Sasaki's signing would more likely occur at the start of the new international signing period on January 15, 2025, leveling the playing field for all teams, especially since the Dodgers would have less money to spend compared to others.

Chiba Lotte Marines Announcement

The recent buzz about Sasaki comes on the heels of the Chiba Lotte Marines announcing their intention to post him for bidding. This move sets the stage for a fierce battle among MLB teams vying for his talents, particularly as he is already drawing comparisons to other NPB stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom are currently Dodgers.

Unwritten Deals and Allegations

While unwritten deals are ostensibly outlawed under MLB rules, whispers of cooperation between teams and foreign players are not uncommon, especially in Latin America. Past practices have paved the way for allegations of impropriety, yet there are currently no verified reports of the Dodgers breaching MLB’s guidelines in their pursuit of Sasaki.

Dallas Keuchel's Comments

Dallas Keuchel, a former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher and teammate of Sasaki’s on the Chiba Lotte Marines, recently stoked the rumors by suggesting to the New York Post that he had heard talk of a “done deal” regarding Sasaki and the Dodgers. Such remarks only serve to heighten the intrigue surrounding Sasaki's future in the MLB.

MLB's Governance and Regulations

This ongoing controversy is not a new issue for baseball's governance. Earlier this year, MLB took steps to tighten regulations around team interactions with foreign leagues, particularly aiming to prevent any unfair advantages. The league now forbids formalized working agreements with certain international leagues to manage access to promising players.

Conclusion

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Roki Sasaki—a potentially transformative player who could make waves in Major League Baseball, but for the time being, the rumors surrounding his future evoke both excitement and skepticism. Will the Dodgers really land the young star, or is it all just speculation? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the baseball world is watching closely.