Dodgers may boast significant worth with promising rookie Roki Sasaki in their ranks
The Dodgers' Unexpected Star on a Budget: Roki Sasaki
The Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed a potential game-changer on a budget with the arrival of Roki Sasaki. With his first major-league start in game two of the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs, Sasaki could prove to be the Dodgers' best bargain.
A prized off-season acquisition for the Dodgers, Sasaki boasts top-of-the-rotation stuff, fitting comfortably on the team's league-high $306 million payroll, sitting at the lower end. If Sasaki performs at his top level, similar to his stardom in Japan, it's hard to argue against the Dodgers getting a steal.
Despite the roster's high-priced players, it's almost inconceivable that Sasaki, aged 23, landed a $6.5 million signing bonus and began his career on a minor-league deal. The Dodgers were thrilled to find what they perceive as a diamond in the rough.
Sasaki's financial limitations were a result of Nippon Professional Baseball's regulations. If a player exits the league before age 25, such as the case with superstar Shohei Ohtani, they come at a reduced cost. Hence, despite possessing an arsenal featuring a fastball consistently flirting with triple digits and a wicked splitter, the Dodgers feel lucky to have scored such a talented athlete for a song.
For the next two seasons, Sasaki will earn the league minimum, $760,000 this year and $780,000 in 2026. While the Dodgers may consider a goodwill gesture, the increase in Sasaki's earnings will be modest.
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, aged 25, wasn't bound by financial restraints when he signed with the Dodgers in 2024, thanks to his age. The difference? Yamamoto earned a 12-year, $325 million deal, the most expensive for a pitcher ever.
Despite leaving millions on the table by crossing the Pacific before turning 25, both Sasaki and Ohtani made the move to compete at baseball's highest level. Their career maturity will likely bring them the financial rewards they left behind in Japan.
When asked, Sasaki shared his excitement about making his debut at the Tokyo Dome, a dream he nurtured since his school days. As he faces the pressures of playing at the major-league level, the anticipated electric atmosphere from the enthusiastic fans keeps Sasaki focused and determined to prove himself.
With the Dodgers' massive payroll, Sasaki doesn't burden the team's finances, offering the potential for substantial value and returns on a relatively small investment. The Dodgers sail towards defending their world championship, hoping Sasaki truly is their biggest bargain.
- The Dodgers' perceived bargain, Roki Sasaki, boasts an average salary far lower than his teammates, earning $760,000 this year and $780,000 in 2026, despite possessing top-of-the-rotation stuff.
- In contrast, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the Dodgers at the age of 25, secured a 12-year, $325 million deal, making him the most expensive pitcher ever, a stark contrast to Sasaki's affordability.
- Sasaki's financial limitations were a result of Nippon Professional Baseball's regulations, which make players leaving the league before age 25 such as Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani, come at a reduced cost, offering teams like the Dodgers valuable talent on a small investment.
