Blake Snell and Loki Sasaki? Then another competitor?
The LA Dodgers, the “Empire of Blue Evil” who are not satisfied with winning the World Series for the first time in four years, have recruited Blake Snell, a big starting pitcher who has been in the spotlight in the FA market.
On top of that, will he bring Sasaki, which is expected to sign after January 16 next year? Although it is not a matter of money, it could be a weakness in the recruitment competition given its position in the team. U.S. journalists are now paying attention to the San Diego Padres, not the Dodgers, as Sasaki’s destination. People are increasingly interested in him.
Sasaki’s team, Chiba Lotte Marines, announced on the 9th that it would allow Sasaki to post in the Major League. The club said, “Since I joined the team, I have heard from Sasaki that I want to play in the U.S. We have decided to respect his will by comprehensively judging the five years until this year.”
The Japanese professional baseball league does not set a fixed number of years for a player to post. This allowed Sasaki to play for Chiba Lotte for only five years and try to advance to the Major League. “I will try to become the world’s best player by signing a minor league contract so that I do not regret it in my once-in-a-lifetime career,” Sasaki said through his team.
Sasaki’s posting schedule has not started yet. Even if he advances to the Major League under the age of 25, he cannot sign a contract as an FA. Only minor league contracts can be made through international amateur contracts. International contracts for Major League teams can be made only within the “Sinning Pool,” which will be newly planned on January 16 next year. Therefore, chances are high that Sasaki will advance to the Major League next year. 토토사이트
As only minor league contracts can be signed and down payment is determined within the Sining Pool, the total amount will inevitably decrease. Therefore, it is expected that the Sasaki recruitment match will not be a battle for money, but a battle for justification. It means that there is hope even if it is not for big market clubs such as the Dodgers, New York Yankees, or New York Mets.
When many expect Sasaki to go to the Dodgers, Jim Borden, a former general manager-turned-columnist, picked San Diego as a likely destination. “The Dodgers are interested in Sasaki, and some say that the Dodgers are the most likely team to recruit him. But I don’t think so. I think it’s unlikely that he will join the Dodgers.”
“Sasaki will not be able to apply for a salary adjustment until the end of 2028. He will not be able to become a free agent until the 2030 or 2031 season. Then, how will he and his agency maximize their income?” he said, predicting that Sasaki will choose a club that can make him a “star.” He could be attracted to other clubs rather than the Dodgers with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and then concluded that San Diego, Dodgers’ rival, is the best destination.
The Dodgers reportedly agreed to a five-year, 182 million-dollar contract with Snell. If so, Sasaki could have a smaller presence. ESPN reporter David Shawnfield also believed that Sasaki is more likely to choose the San Diego Padres than the Dodgers.
Shawnfield wrote, “All teams can afford Sasaki contract. So, where does he want to be? Do they want to be the “No. 3″ after Ohtani and Yamamoto? Do they want the East or the Midwest? Or should they go to the West to maximize the marketing impact in Japan?” He added, “San Diego and Sasaki will be a great combination. And no other club would need Sasaki as much as San Diego. San Diego’s total salary has reached its limit even though he has not renewed his contract with Jurickson Profar or Kim Ha-sung. Joe Musgrove has elbow surgery. San Diego needs a starting pitcher to compete with the Dodgers.”
