Abn ESPN Insider predicts Roki Sasaki will sign with the San Diego Padres instead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, citing key factors in his decision.
Since Roki Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, spoke to the media at the Winter Meetings, there's been a lot of talk about which team could be the best fit for the highly sought-after right-hander, who was recently posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines.ESPN's David Schoenfield, although it's just guessing at this point," Schoenfield wrote on Tuesday.
The Dodgers, known for their willingness to invest in top-tier talent, are also in a strong position to offer Sasaki a lucrative extension if his pitching translates well to MLB, as many expect. Additionally, the Dodgers have a proven track record of developing pitchers, and with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already in the fold, Sasaki would likely be welcomed warmly by fellow Japanese stars.
However, the Padres have a lot to offer as well and might even be the better fit because they have the added advantage of being more of a "mid-market" team. Reports suggest Sasaki has a close relationship with Yu Darvish, who could play a key role in recruiting him to San Diego. Additionally, having Hideo Nomo on board as a special assistant is another positive factor that could help sway Sasaki’s decision.Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn.
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