The Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated this MLB offseason, making bold moves like signing former Padres ace Blake Snell to a massive 5-year, $182 million deal and landing top international free agent Kim Hye-seong. But as the battle for Roki Sasaki, the highly sought-after Japanese pitching sensation, heats up, the Dodgers may be falling behind in this high-stakes race.
MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently gave the edge in the Sasaki sweepstakes to the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, while effectively sidelining the Dodgers. This unexpected shift has raised eyebrows, as many believed the Dodgers’ star-studded roster and marketability would make them Sasaki’s top choice. However, it turns out those same factors might work against them.
The Dodgers’ roster already boasts Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, making Los Angeles a hub for Japanese MLB fandom. While this could attract Sasaki, it also creates stiff competition for lucrative endorsement deals. Ohtani and Yamamoto already command significant attention, with Ohtani’s endorsement earnings surpassing $100 million. Sasaki, as a budding international free agent, may find it difficult to carve out his own space in such a crowded spotlight.
Conversely, San Diego offers a unique opportunity. The Padres lack significant competition for Japanese market attention, providing Sasaki with a prime platform for endorsement deals. Current Padres stars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. have demonstrated the team’s support for off-field earning potential. Additionally, the presence of Yu Darvish, a veteran Japanese pitcher who’s advocated for Sasaki to join the Padres, further bolsters San Diego’s appeal.
While the Yankees remain a threat in this race, thanks to their deep pockets and Sasaki’s admiration for Masahiro Tanaka, the Padres seem to have the most compelling pitch. Sasaki has reportedly met with both teams, but the Padres’ robust pitching development system, endorsement opportunities, and Darvish’s mentorship could tip the scales in their favor.
The Padres have checked every box on Sasaki’s wishlist. Although Dodgers fans may hope for a surprise and Yankees supporters cling to nostalgia, the Padres appear to be the team best positioned to land the Japanese phenom. With Sasaki’s decision looming, San Diego fans have reason to be cautiously optimistic as the team pushes to close this offseason’s most exciting deal.
ut? Padres Emerge as Surprising Favorites in Roki Sasaki Free Agency Battle