Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes: Which MLB Team Lands Japanese Ace?
- Roki Sasaki’s fastball hits 102.5 mph and is paired with a devastating splitter.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers (-250) are heavy favorites in BetUS sportsbook odds.
- Sasaki’s 2024 stats: 2.35 ERA, 129 strikeouts in 111 innings, showcasing elite talent despite a slight regression.
Move over, Shohei Ohtani, there’s a new Japanese phenom in town. Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old pitcher with a 102.5 mph fastball and a splitter that makes hitters question their life choices, is the hottest free agent this offseason. Sasaki’s decision on where he’ll throw flames in MLB has the baseball world buzzing louder than a Dodger Stadium crowd in October. So, who’s got the edge in the Sasaki sweepstakes?
Roki Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe describes the pitcher’s personality:
“Roki is somewhat quiet. He has a dry sense of humor. He’s very witty. He’s not verbose. He doesn’t necessarily love people that are verbose.”
Wolfe added: “He’s a good kid.”
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) December 10, 2024
Let’s examine the MLB futures odds and see if we can make sense of how this deal will unfold.
MLB odds at BetUS to Sign Roki Sasaki
- Los Angeles Dodgers -250
- San Diego Padres +200
- San Francisco Giants +700
- New York Yankees +900
- Seattle Mariners +900
- New York Mets +1000
- Chicago Cubs +1000
- Philadelphia Phillies +1200
- Tampa Bay Rays +1600
- Atlanta Braves +1800
- Texas Rangers +2000
- Boston Red Sox +2000
- Toronto Blue Jays +2200
- Minnesota Twins +2500
- Detroit Tigers +2500
- Houston Astros +2500
- Baltimore Orioles +2800
- Pittsburgh Pirates +3000
- Milwaukee Brewers +3000
- Cleveland Guardians +3000
Top 5 Destinations for Roki Sasaki
1. The Favorite: Los Angeles Dodgers (-250)
The Dodgers are like that rich kid in school who’s good at everything. They’ve got the cash, the prestige and now the Japanese superstar connection with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already on board.
Want to play with your WBC teammates and chase a World Series ring? LA’s the obvious choice. Plus, who doesn’t want to live where it’s sunny year-round and In-N-Out is always close by? Any way you look at it, it’s good MLB news for LA and its fans.
Andrew Friedman says that Roki Sasaki is a major priority for the Dodgers:
“He is someone that obviously is a major priority for us and we’re going to do whatever we can, and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing.” pic.twitter.com/99dx6uzgEX
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) December 10, 2024
2. Top Challenger: San Diego Padres (+200)
The Padres aren’t just riding on vibes anymore. With Yu Darvish as a mentor and a commitment to building a winner (even if they’ve had some bumps along the way), San Diego offers a tempting option. Plus, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, shut down the idea that geography matters, but let’s be real: Who wouldn’t love pitching in Petco Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions while living in America’s Finest City?
Per MLB betting trends, San Diego’s pitching staff tied for eighth in the majors last season with 169 home runs allowed.
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3. The Dark Horse: San Francisco Giants (+700)
The Giants are out here quietly lurking, hoping their history of success and recent spending spree will woo Sasaki. San Francisco is a smaller market vibe with a big-market feel — just quirky enough to appeal to someone looking to blaze their own trail. But do they have the star power and allure to beat out the heavyweights in their own division? Tough ask.
4. The Wild Cards: Yankees (+900) and Mariners (+900)
The Yankees are, well, the Yankees. Pinstripes, legends and Broadway just a cab ride away. But Sasaki’s not getting Broadway money yet, thanks to MLB’s international amateur rules.
Seattle, meanwhile, has Ichiro’s legacy, direct flights to Japan and a welcoming community of Japanese fans. If Sasaki is looking for comfort and connection, the Mariners could pull off a surprise and be worth a bet online.
1. Gerrit Cole
2. Max Fried
3. Carlos Rodon
4. Roki Sasaki
5. Clarke Schmidt
6. Luis Gil— pardo🧸 (@Hardpard) December 10, 2024
5. The Sleeper: Tampa Bay Rays (+1600)
Don’t laugh. The Rays may be stingy, but they’re wizards at developing talent. If Sasaki wants to hone his craft and dominate without the bright lights blinding him, Tampa Bay could make sense. Plus, Florida’s no-state income tax policy doesn’t hurt.
MLB Prediction Time
Let’s call it: Sasaki landing with the Dodgers is our MLB pick. LA offers the perfect mix of prestige, potential and camaraderie with fellow Japanese stars. It’s hard to see him passing up the chance to join Ohtani and Yamamoto to form the most hyped trio since The Avengers. But hey, baseball’s unpredictable — just like a Sasaki splitter.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Question Of The Day
Who is the favorite to win the 2025 World Series?
The Dodgers are +350 to make it back-to-back championships.
