"Photoshopped card is next level of desperation" - Fans slam Topps for using alteration on Roki Sasaki's first MLB card in Dodgers jersey

The Los Angeles Dodgers have caused a sensation yet again after they signed Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki from the amateur international free agent market on Friday. The 23-year-old right-hander was regarded as the best pitching prospect available this off-season.

Trading cards and sports collectibles manufacturer Topps wasted no time by issuing their first card of Roki Sasaki as they posted the update on their Instagram account. MLB fans lambasted Topps for their greedy intentions as they used a computer-generated image of Sasaki in a Dodgers uniform on the card.

The picture shows Roki Sasaki on the mound wearing a full Los Angeles Dodgers uniform while he is in the middle of pitching motion. The image of the pitcher is laid over another showing a view of Dodger Stadium from the top seats at the home plate end.

The card is themed with the Dodger Blue shade with the club logo on the right side and 'International FA Signing' stamped on the left. The signing date, 1.17.2025, is depicted in the middle with the player's name and a caption stating, 'Japanese fireballer signs with Dodgers.'

Fans raged at Topps with their comments on Instagram for the obviously fake image of Sasaki in a Dodgers uniform.

"A photoshopped card is next level of desperation," remarked one fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"Buying a photoshopped card is crazy lol," wrote another fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"A photshopped card is ridiculous lmfao," said another fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

The jibes from the fans poured in among the comments on Instagram.

"How does this add value when you photoshpped it?" asked one fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"Topps getting extra thirsty with this," said another fan.

(Image Source: Instagram)

"Photoshopped images should not be allowed," another fan wrote.

(Image Source: Instagram)

Sasaki announced his decision with a message through his Instagram account on Friday. The Dodgers have not officially unveiled the player or even confirmed the news as yet.

Shohei Ohtani allegedly played a key role in securing Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers

Sasaki was part of the Team Japan pitching staff in the 2023 WBC (Image Source: Imagn)

Roki Sasaki will join fellow Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the Los Angeles Dodgers. As per MLB insider Noah Camras, Ohtani was a key factor in Sasaki choosing to join the Dodgers as a free agent.

"Shohei Ohtani was "driving the bus" in the Dodgers' pursuit of Roki Sasaki, according to The Athletic," Camras had tweeted.

Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki previously played together on Team Japan when they won the 2023 World Baseball Classic.