Around the base paths
Bob Nightengale
USA Today
Just when you think the Dodgers can't possibly sign any more stars, several GMs believe that Roki Sasaki, 22, one of the best pitchers in the world, already has plans to sign with the Dodgers after the season.
"Every team in baseball wants this guy,"
one GM told USA TODAY Sports, "but there's no way he's going anywhere else but the Dodgers. We all know it."
Sasaki became the youngest pitcher in Japanese history to throw a perfect game last season for the Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League and has a career 1.90 ERA with 395 strikeouts in 303 2/3 innings, has made it clear that he wants to pitch in Major League Baseball as soon as possible and could be posted after the season.
Does anyone actually watch this sheet sport? Like watching paint dry
Oh yeah, I know about Sasaki. Most top Japanese players are required to play until they are 25 before they can be posted while not having to be subjected to international pool money restrictions. The Dodgers are pretty smart with their international pool money. They will trade low level prospects for other teams' international pool money.
Sasaki may not care much about being under 25 rule, and losing some initial money by not waiting, but the details of his contract with his team are not known. That will have to be ironed out if he wants to come over next season
This is why you develop a strong international system and presence. Dodgers have been mining these fields since the 90s