The Los Angeles Dodgers is one of the most active teams in free agency this winter, and it appears they are prioritizing another star free agent to bolster their roster.
Los Angeles recently held an in-person meeting with sensation Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
The reigning World Series champions represent the sixth team to reunite with the 23-year-old, joining the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers. adds Plunkett.
At the winter meetings, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said he had been contacted by 20 teams about his client, who is expected to narrow down the number of teams he is interested in and hold a second round of meetings in 2025.
The Dodgers have long been considered favorites to land Sasaki, who could join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Los Angeles.
Sasaki authored a 2.10 ERA and 11.5 K/9 in 64 appearances for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League between 2021 and 2024 before deciding he wanted to pitch in MLB.
The right-hander cannot sign until the international signing period begins on January 15. Its publication window closes on January 24.
