The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series title after finishing with a record of 98-64 and winning the National League West.
After winning the World Series, the Dodgers continued to press as they made multiple big-time acquisitions this offseason to further improve their roster for 2025.
Some of these acquisitions include starting pitcher Blake Snell, relief pitcher Tanner Scott, and starting pitcher Roki Sasaki.
The Sasaki sweepstakes was filled with drama as three teams were involved in talks with him including the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.
According to Foul Territory on ‘X,’ Dodgers star player Shohei Ohtani led the pursuit of Sasaki.
Shohei Ohtani was reportedly “driving the bus” in the Dodgers pursuit of Roki Sasaki.
He texted the organization’s brass, “We got him,” minutes before Sasaki announced his decision.
(Via: @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/d2J6HtJDxQ
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 19, 2025
Ohtani reportedly texted the higher-ups in the Dodgers’ organization informing them that they got Sasaki just minutes before Sasaki made the announcement.
Sasaki is a 23-year-old starting pitcher who is coming over to the MLB from Japan this offseason.
With Ohtani also being from Japan, it makes sense that he would want Sasaki to join the Dodgers.
In 2024 with his overseas team, Sasaki appeared in 18 games and held a record of 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 111.0 innings pitched.
Sasaki is said to have an electric arm and is one of the most interesting free agents this offseason due to his never throwing a pitch in the MLB yet.
If Sasaki is the pitcher that everybody thinks he will be, the Dodgers could have the best starting rotation by far in the entire league.
The Dodgers will look to win back-to-back World Series titles for the first time in franchise history.
NEXT: Insider Predicts Where Roki Sasaki Will Sign
