It sounds like the Dodgers may lose Roki Sasaki to their biggest NL opponent: A Deep Dive into the Potential Impact and Implications of Sasaki Joining a Rival
The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of Major League Baseball’s most successful and storied franchises, are always a team to watch in the offseason and as the season progresses. They are consistently vying for the top talent both on the trade market and through the international scene. But this time, the buzz around their roster involves a player they may lose to one of their most formidable rivals in the National League: Roki Sasaki, the sensational young Japanese pitcher. Sasaki has been turning heads in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and is widely regarded as one of the most promising young arms in the game today. If Sasaki ultimately makes his way to an NL opponent, particularly one of the Dodgers’ biggest competitors, the implications for Los Angeles could be seismic.
The Rise of Roki Sasaki
Before discussing what it could mean for the Dodgers to lose Sasaki to a rival, let’s take a closer look at who Sasaki is and why he’s drawing so much attention. At just 22 years old, Roki Sasaki has quickly become one of the most talked-about prospects in the baseball world. After being drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2019, Sasaki’s meteoric rise in Japan has stunned even the most seasoned baseball analysts. He made his professional debut at just 18 and rapidly showcased the kind of stuff that scouts dream about.
Sasaki’s fastball can touch speeds of up to 102 mph, and his ability to combine that with a devastating splitter and a sharp curveball makes him a nightmare for opposing hitters. He is a rare talent—someone with not only the physical tools but also the mental makeup to succeed at the highest levels of the game. In 2022, he made history with a perfect game, a feat that only added to the hype surrounding his potential move to Major League Baseball (MLB). His combination of velocity, movement, and composure has earned him comparisons to some of the best pitchers in the world.
It’s no surprise that MLB teams are keeping a close eye on Sasaki, with the possibility of him coming to North America being more likely as he matures in his professional career. The Dodgers, with their track record of international scouting and investment in pitching, are among the teams that have long been rumored to have interest in Sasaki.
The Dodgers and Their Pursuit of Top Talent
The Los Angeles Dodgers have built their reputation over the years on a combination of savvy scouting, player development, and aggressive roster building. They are no strangers to international scouting, and their front office has proven itself adept at identifying and acquiring top talent from all over the world. This is especially true when it comes to pitchers.
The Dodgers have had great success with international pitching prospects in the past, from signing Cuban talents like Yasiel Puig to the more recent addition of Japanese star Kenta Maeda. But none may represent as exciting a potential acquisition as Sasaki, a generational talent who could fit seamlessly into the Dodgers’ pitching-rich system.
If the Dodgers were to acquire Sasaki, he would immediately join a rotation that already includes some of the game’s best pitchers—names like Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, and Dustin May come to mind. Adding Sasaki to this group would only strengthen the Dodgers’ ability to compete for championships year after year. Their pitching staff, already known for being one of the most formidable in the league, would become even more dominant with the addition of Sasaki’s elite stuff.
Furthermore, Sasaki’s youth and potential for growth would make him an investment for the future, one that could keep the Dodgers at the top of the NL for the next decade.
The Rivalry Within the NL: Who Would Pose the Greatest Threat to the Dodgers?
While the Dodgers are looking to add Sasaki to their roster, the prospect of losing him to one of their rivals is a daunting thought. In the National League, the Dodgers’ primary competitors for postseason success have consistently been teams like the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, and more recently, the Atlanta Braves.
Each of these teams has made significant moves in recent years to strengthen their rosters, and the addition of Sasaki could be a game-changer for any of them. If Sasaki were to sign with a team in the NL, it could dramatically shift the balance of power in the league.
San Diego Padres: The Frontrunner?
Among the Dodgers’ rivals in the NL, the San Diego Padres have been one of the most aggressive teams in recent years, investing heavily in both offense and pitching. With stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Juan Soto in their lineup, the Padres’ offense is already among the most formidable in the league. Their pitching staff, led by Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove, is also strong, but adding a pitcher of Sasaki’s caliber could elevate the Padres to an entirely new level.
The Padres have the financial resources to pursue Sasaki and could offer him a more enticing situation than other teams. Their aggressive pursuit of top talent could give them the edge in this potential race. If Sasaki were to join the Padres, it would further intensify the rivalry between San Diego and Los Angeles, already one of the most talked-about matchups in recent years. The added threat of Sasaki in the Padres’ rotation could turn what is already a heated divisional battle into something even more fierce.
Atlanta Braves: A Growing Threat in the NL East
While the Dodgers and Padres have been the two most high-profile teams in the NL in recent years, the Atlanta Braves have quietly built a juggernaut in the NL East. With stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley anchoring their offense, and pitchers like Max Fried and Spencer Strider leading the rotation, the Braves have quickly become one of the most complete teams in baseball.
Sasaki joining the Braves would provide them with another elite arm at the front of their rotation. Given the Braves’ success with international scouting and their ability to develop young pitchers, Sasaki could fit in seamlessly with their organization. The Braves would instantly become even more of a powerhouse in the NL, and the Dodgers could find themselves facing a formidable opponent in a potential playoff matchup.
What Would Losing Sasaki Mean for the Dodgers?
The loss of Sasaki to any of these NL teams would have major ramifications for the Dodgers. Not only would they be losing out on one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the game, but they would also have to contend with an already tough NL landscape that would now include an additional ace on the mound for one of their key rivals.
The Dodgers would need to focus on other methods of improving their pitching staff, either by pursuing other free-agent pitchers or continuing to develop their existing talent. However, the gap between them and their rivals could grow, especially if Sasaki is as dominant in MLB as he was in Japan.
Moreover, there is the emotional toll of seeing a generational talent like Sasaki join a team they are already battling for NL supremacy. The Dodgers have long prided themselves on having one of the best, if not the best, pitching staffs in the league. Losing a player of Sasaki’s caliber to a rival could serve as a reminder that the competition for talent is fierce, and staying on top is never a given.
