The MLB sweepstakes for the next Japanese sensation

[True Dough]

C'mon, let a small-market team get in on the action for a change! Maybe because he has to start off in the minor leagues due to his age it might make a difference? I'm probably dreaming.

The Chiba Lotte Marines announced Saturday that they will begin the process of posting Roki Sasaki, the Japanese right-hander considered one of the most talented pitchers in the world, paving the way for the 23-year-old to join Major League Baseball in 2025.

The posting system is the method of transfer between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball that makes him available to all 30 teams.

"I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post," Sasaki said in a statement posted by the Marines on X. "There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans. I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me."

Sasaki, nicknamed "The Monster of the Reiwa Era," throws a fastball that regularly reaches triple digits and complements it with a frontline split-fingered fastball and a slider.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42280725/chiba-lotte-marines-post-japanese-star-roki-sasaki-mlb

[gab13by13]

1. I hope his papers are in order.

or he may be whisked off to an internment camp.

[Brother Buzz]

2. Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Lefty O'Doul, is smiling somewhere

His vision came to fruition

[Homoudont]

3. Japanese players

Japanese players typically sign with the same teams and will do so for less money. Teams like the mariners and dodgers have a system in place so the players can adapt quicker to major league baseball.

[True Dough]

4. And the Dodgers seemingly win again!

This is getting out of hand!

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43457102/japanese-star-roki-sasaki-says-joining-dodgers

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Was The First Thing I Saw...

...on the ESPN crawl this morning.
So, I think it's official because that was 10 hours after you posted. They wouldn't go that long without pulling a bogus story.
Ok, I get it; the Royals, Brewers, Reds, Tigers, Twins, Pirates aren't landing this big fish.
But, where are Chicago, New York, Houston, Boston, Miami.....?
The other big market teams aren't even trying to compete with the Dodgers.

[True Dough]

6. Yeah, it's bad, Prof

It's real bad. The Dodgers are even leaving the Yankees in their dust with talent recruitment and payroll. Something has to give with their starting pitching roster. There are several quality arms, not enough spots.

Maybe one is converted to long relief? Like Dustin May? But there's some names there who will not settle for that sort of role. I think a trade is in the offing.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Or The Go 6 Man

And, then in the playoffs do partner games 3 & 3.
Opposing hitters would be looking at nothing but fresh arms every game.
That's more radical, but they're in a position to do anything they want right now.

[True Dough]

8. Seems like a sound approach

but even at a starting six, there are seven arms if Clayton Kershaw is re-signed for one more season. He said he wants to pitch in 2025 and it leaves fans to wonder if the Dodgers would let him walk.

So, as of now: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin.

Kershaw, if he comes back, makes 7!

[ProfessorGAC]

9. I Forgot About Him

Maybe I thought he retired.
Either way, with that rotation & that lineup, something will have to happen to derail them.
It's getting like the Celtics of the 60s, where it seemed Auerbach was the only GM who wasn't a complete idiot.

[True Dough]

10. His post-game celebration in the World Series clincher

was anything but forgettable!