On social media, Roki Sasaki, the Japanese free agent target pursued by the Dodgers, was observed dressed in a complete San Diego Padres ensemble. At 22 years old, he is anticipated to be one of the most sought-after international free agents in history, and it seems that he is a priority on the Dodgers’ wish list once he becomes available for Major League Baseball posting.

Although the association between the Dodgers and Sasaki has been extensively covered, Los Angeles will face competition from numerous other teams vying for his talents.

The Padres are expected to be among the teams pursuing Sasaki, and their star pitcher, Yu Darvish, has already initiated recruitment efforts. Darvish reportedly gifted Sasaki the full Padres attire as a gesture of goodwill.

Sasaki is set to continue pitching in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league in Japan in 2024 after re-signing with the Lotte Marines, following extensive discussions about a potential move to Major League Baseball (MLB). However, there is speculation that he could make the leap to the Majors sooner rather than later, despite the financial constraints associated with such a decision.

In the 2023 NPB season, Sasaki demonstrated impressive performance, recording a 7-4 record with a stellar 1.78 ERA in 15 starts. He showcased remarkable control, tallying 135 strikeouts against just 17 walks across 91 innings pitched. Having celebrated his 22nd birthday in November, Sasaki’s potential is generating significant interest.

For the latest updates on Sasaki and a detailed analysis of his skills by Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation, refer to the video at the top of the article or click here.