Roki Sasaki not a lock for Dodgers, could join team with 'smaller media market' after harsh Japanese media treatment: MLB insider

Though the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the favorites to sign Roki Sasaki once he's posted to the MLB, their position isn't set in stone. Many assumed it was a given that Sasaki would join his fellow Japanese stars on the Dodgers, but that might not be the case. One MLB insider reported that the player could lean towards a smaller market.

Because of the timing of Sasaki's posting and his age, the Japanese ace is considered an international free agent. This means all teams have a limited pool of money to allocate to him and his contract cannot be that big.

Unlike Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a massive $325 million deal over 12 years in 2024, Sasaki’s deal will be much smaller, similar to the low-budget contract Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2017. This could open up opportunities for smaller-market teams.

MLB analyst Jim Allen believes that Sasaki could opt for one of those smaller markets. It can be tough playing in Los Angeles or New York, and given the harsh treatment Sasaki received from Japanese media, he may want to avoid a repeat in a big market.

“We prefer he’s in a smaller media market with a softer landing after the way he’s been tarred and feathered by the Japanese tabloid media for two years,” Allen quoted his source as saying.

Sasaki can be signed by virtually any team, and the size of the media market might play a role. Usually, the larger markets stand a better chance, but that might not be the case this time.

---

Roki Sasaki odds for next team explored

Roki Sasaki is officially posted, meaning he can be signed by any of the 30 MLB teams. The player is expected to be in high demand this offseason, potentially even more so than Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year.

Roki Sasaki will have multiple suitors (Imagn)

The Dodgers are still the favorites at +300 according to Bookies. However, the San Diego Padres (+325) are right behind them. Other teams in the running include:

• New York Yankees +750
• San Francisco Giants +950
• New York Mets +1000
• Boston Red Sox +1200
• Seattle Mariners +1400
• Chicago Cubs +1500
• Philadelphia Phillies +1500

Expect all these teams to be heavily involved with the negotiations. All other MLB teams are +1500 collectively, so the odds don't favor teams like the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates or Toronto Blue Jays very highly.