After Shohei Ohtani Signs With Dodgers, Does Another Japanese Star Want to Join Him?

Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has asked his current club to post him so he could join the United States. Sasaki is the next big Japanese pitcher who is supposed to come over, but he wasn't expected for a few more seasons. His request is expected to be denied.

Roki Sasaki has abruptly asked to be posted.

This is not a joke.

There is literally 0 chance that the Marines actually post him, however.https://t.co/fzQhKvI1yZ
— Gaijin Baseball/外国人野球 (@GaijinBaseball) December 9, 2023

This all happened right after Shohei Ohtani agreed to join the Dodgers on a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract. Sasaki was teammates with Ohtani on Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Sasaki is only 22 years old still and the rules stipulate that for him to come over and be an unrestricted free agent, he has to be at least 25. Right now, he wouldn't be able to get all the money that he would be worth, and his team in Japan wouldn't collect a high posting fee.

Ohtani left his team to come to the United States before he was 25, but he signed a rookie deal with an international singing bonus of around $2 million. And he was only able to make that happen because of an option in his contract with his original club.

According to insiders at The LA Times, Sasaki may have the same clause.

"Ohtani had the option to leave for the majors whenever he wanted included in his contract with Nippon Ham. Sasaki is thought to also have that clause in his deal with Chiba Lotte."

Per Jorge Castillo and Jack Harris of The LA Times

Sasaki may still be able to find a way to come to the big leagues, but just not this season. Once he is posted, he will be very highly sought after.

He broke onto the scene during the World Baseball Classic and showed how dominant he could be. Current free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been thought of as the best pitcher to come over from Japan, but many believe Sasaki is better.

Last year, he posted an ERA of 1.78 and a WHIP of 0.75 over 15 starts. He also struck out 135 batters over 91 innings of work.

He still has room to develop since he is still so young, and the Dodgers have shown major interest in him for when he is posted. Could we see more Japanese talent joining LA? It remains to be seen, but it is something to watch for.