"With Dodgers, Roki Sasaki will become invisible forever" - Fans react to young Japaenese prioritizing greatness over money in MLB debut

Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation, is making waves in the baseball world as he prepares for his MLB debut. As he has already made a big name for himself in the biggest baseball stage in Japan, which is the NPB, he is now headed for his debut in the MLB.

According to Bleacher Report, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the presumed favorites, given the presence of Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already on their roster, to land him. However, Sasaki's request to not meet with players during team presentations may lessen their chances.

Sasaki's choice to enter the MLB at this stage of his career is unique. By choosing to sign now rather than waiting until he is 25, when he could get a much larger contract, he is intentionally letting go of potential earnings that could reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

On Monday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweeted about the upcoming MLB debut of Sasaki.

"Agent Joel Wolfe on why Roki Sasaki wants to come to MLB now, sacrificing at least $200 million instead of waiting two years: ‘He's a guy that wants to be great. He's not coming here just to be rich. ‘He wants to be one of the greatest, ever,’ Nightengale wrote.

Fans reacted in a positive way as they praised and appreciated Sasaki's decision to choose greatness over financial gain.

Sasaki's choice of choosing to prove himself over going for a big amount of money at such a young age got reactions that showed genuine appreciation.

"Sasaki might be my new favorite player," one fan wrote.

"Love this attitude," one fan commented.

"I really admire that. Hope he chooses the @Yankees," one fan said.

"Like him already," another fan said.

Fans also expressed concerns about Sasaki going to a team where he won't be able to shine as he would constantly be overshadowed by other players.

"With Dodgers he will become invisible for ever," one fan remarked.

"This is why he shouldn't choose the Dodgers. If he goes there he's losing between 4 and 8 starts per year if healthy just because of how many top SP they have and would most likely be #5 or #6 for a year or two," another fan said.

"I just hope he doesn't go to the Dodgers. He'll be in Ohtani's shadow, if he wants to maximize endorsements he should go somewhere where he'll be the featured guy. Not saying that's going to happen immediately," one fan explained.

Roki Sasaki as a player in the NPB and the teams interested in signing him

Roki Sasaki - Image via Imagn

At a young age, Roki Sasaki has proven himself as a good player in the NPB as he spent four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He had an ERA of 2.10 and 505 strikeouts in 394.2 innings. Sasaki is also known for his impressive fastball which can reach up to 102.5 mph.

According to MLB.com, the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres are the favorites to get their hands on Sasaki. Meanwhile, SNY reported that the New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres are top contenders to sign Sasaki and that the Dodgers are less likely to sign him.