Around sixty years ago, the Beatles said it best:
Money didn’t buy Roki Sasaki… at least in the short term. Roki is likely looking at the big picture, knowing full well that this rotation is likely headed to the 2025 World Series. If he goes to the World Series and wins some games, the payoff in endorsements will be huge! The Dodgers will own the Pacific Rim!
ACES: Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki – That’s all a deck of cards has – four Aces! Has a team ever really had Four Aces? Kershaw used to be an Ace, but he’s not anymore. However, he should be back at some point in the season, as should Emmet Sheehan. At the beginning of the season, Tony Gonsolin and Landon Knack might round out the rotation. Let me tell you that many baseball people like Landon Knack and Tony Gonsolin was 16-1 in the season before his Tommy John.
Then there are Casparius and Wrobleski, and don’t even count out Bobby Miller. Let’s just consider last year an anomaly and move on. Nick Frasso should be back in 2025, and River Ryan and Kyle Hurt could be bullpen pieces in the postseason. At this point, I would sit down with Dustin May and convince him to become a high-leverage reliever.
This really isn’t even fair. Baseball is going to have to do something about it, and I am afraid that we will see a lockout in 2027. MLB is going to have to implement a salary cap maximum and minimum. This has been brewing for a while now. It’s nothing new… The Regional Network Model hasn’t changed so much as it has been blown up and disintegrated! MLB is going to have to go to increased revenue sharing and centralized revenues. MLB attendance has been down since the pandemic, and some teams are just floundering (on purpose) so the owners can make money. I am not going to mention names, but Miami, Pittsburgh, Oakland,
The Dodgers might win back-to-back-to-back World Series, and then in 2027, the lockout might last all year, and we might see AAA baseball in a ballpark near you. It’s probably going to happen. Enjoy the ride. I don’t know what the hell will happen after 2026.
Mark that is all the aces in a full deck. But the Dodgers aren’t playing with a full deck unless you count one of the jokers as an additional ace. You forgot to mention Ohtani and that makes it five aces Bud!!!! So great to be a Dodger fan these days and the foreseeable future.
I am not counting on Shohei, but you are right, he could be the 5th Ace!
Insane.
I think the kid (Sasaki) will need some time to adjust and for the Dodgers pitching lab to work their magic on him. But we both know he has ACE written all over his makeup. Just not so sure it’ll be this year? They may put the baby gloves on him as he adjusts.
Andrew Vincent Forte gets another one right. Uncanny. It’s not too often that a baseball team has so much talent and depth. But our Dodgers certainly do. Is 173-0 a possibility? No way. They lose one game to the Sacramento A’s. Lol. Welcome to L.A. Roki Sasaki!
Book em
One of my concerns (or annoyances). SO MANY “new” fans because of winning in 2024 that have no real understanding of the game. They might think something like 150-12 is possible! Don’t laugh, these are the morons who will be screaming for Dave Roberts’ head when they lose 3 games, or Andrew’s or Mark Prior’s.
Dodgers were always the odds-on choice to land Sasaki. It would have been a big surprise if he opted for any other team.
Anybody out there predict that Hye-Seong Kim would be coming? A lot of us figured Lux would be traded–but not to ease the path for Kim.
At any rate, the rich get richer. Yes, Sasaki might need some time to adjust, just as Yamamoto had some shaky starts. But in terms of pure arm talent, Sasaki is superior to Yamamoto.
It’s often said that a team can’t have enough pitching, but the Dodgers’ depth is just ridiculous. Sasaki’s arrival could push Knack or ??? off the 26-man roster and limit the opportunity for prospects like Jackson Ferris. Will AF make any more trades?
There aren’t many plausible deals for major leaguers that would instantly upgrade the lineup. Would it make sense to deal pitchers like Knack and Wrobleski for premium position prospects who may someday succeed Max or Freddie?
Who is on the brain trust’s wish list?
Since these aces have been injured and/or have a history of not pitching a lot of innings how is that likely to be handled?
One rotation for the first half of the season, another for the second half? Or maybe one rotation with aces “mixed in” occasionally? Obviously, they want to arrive at the beginning of the post season with their most effective pitchers identified, unhurt and rested…..enough.
Sasaki could be an ace, but I think it could be until 2027, while he would have to adapt to MLB, the pace of the game and the city, the language, the food, the customs, the new teammates, and not counting any injuries, but I agree with the aces thing.
It would be something like when it is said that the Dodgers have several Most Valuable Players. In the past!
Good news
Five aces!
It’s a stacked deck.
Why isn’t it fair, Mark? The old days are a distant memory. But was it really fair back then? The Yankees dominated for decades. They used other MLB teams like a farm system. Eventually they fell off, but then George Steinbrenner ressurected the team again and they had another pretty run.
Yes, the Dodgers are loaded. They were able to sign three great Japanese players. Hey, it’s the west coast, the gateway to Asia. If the Dodgers were in Kansas, none of this happens, no matter how much money they tossed around. The Dodgers unfair advantage has to do with location, the fact the organization is iconic. Add in the weather, an incredibly smart front office and it’s been a great ride.
But it’s not like the Dodgers win the World Series every year. They’ve won two since 1988.
I just don’t see a lockout coming. Baseball is doing pretty well. Yes, ticket prices are up, way up. Food is more expensive, so is merchandise and parking.
A lockout and labor unrest will sink the game. Too much competition from other sports. MLB would never recover.
There may be a few disgruntled owners, but they’re making money. Team values are climbing.
Teams other than the Dodgers are also winning the World Series. Texas won two years ago. Houston the year before, the Braves in 2021, the Nationals in 2019, the Red Sox in 2018
The Dodgers won’t win the series every year. If they win three of the next five years that would be a great run.
You may love the Dodgers or hate the Dodgers. But they are great for baseball. So were the Yankees back in the day.
Those disgruntled owners love that the Dodgers average 36,000 a road game and fill up their stadiums.
It was said that one of the reasons Sasaki chose LA was because of the conversation he had with Yamamoto. Yoshi told him how LA had worked with him acclimating him to the major leagues. He felt the way he was handled by the coaching staff and team had a huge impact on the success he did achieve. As for a salary cap, the players union will never allow it. And the MLBPA is probably the strongest of all the pro sports unions.
Sasaki’s decision was made years ago to play for the Dodgers with a handshake that was in place.
Well according to the reporters on MLB.TV, Yamamoto had a lot to do with it. Just telling what I heard.
Most owners are billionaires, so spend the revenues to improve your team. or sell the team to someone who will. We as Dodger fans are fortunate that our ownership has deep pockets and are extremely talented in making a return on their investment and wants to win at all costs. Enjoy it, because we are the Evil Empire on the West Coast with the brightest people running the organization in AF and BG. It’s too bad if people hate us. We all suffered with the Yankees when George Steinbrener was alive and signed any free agent with huge sums of money. Now players want to play for the Dodgers,not so much the Yankees. I love it!!!!
It will come to an end at some point. Walter is using Guggenheim’s money, and it is a wise and lucrative investment, but at some point, they will have to sell for the interest of their shareholders. Mark Walter is 65. I think the Dodgers will sell in the next 8-10 years. Who will be the next owner? Who knows? Enjoy the ride while we can.
As a long term Dodger fan I am very excited with this news. It is great to see them making moves to improve the team. As you said the other owners are benefiting and it brings attention to the sport.
Question— is there any data on how last years rule changes impacted the game or players. I know game times were shortened a good thing. How about the other changes?
The data shows that the 2023 MLB rule changes, particularly the pitch clock and the ban on defensive shifts, significantly impacted the game by leading to shorter game times, increased stolen base attempts, higher batting averages on balls in play, and a more fast-paced style of play overall; with the average game length dropping to its lowest point since the 1980s.
“With the Dodgers adding roughly $2 million to their bonus pool thrugh trades with the Phillies and Reds, that left them about $400,000 to $646,200 remaining to sign other international prospects.
The Dodgers reportedly added a few players after Sasaki announced his intent to join the organization, and they are said to be signing roughly 15 players total within the next day or so.
During their pursuit of Sasaki, the Dodgers asked their 2025 commitments to wait until the next signing period, while a few of them decided to join other organizations”.
Will Letich of MLB.com wrote this today:
https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-chances-of-repeating-as-world-series-champs?partnerId=it-20250118-12346651-mlb-1-B&utm_id=it-20250118-12346651-mlb-1-B&lctg=16909036
“The Dodgers may have the best team on paper right now. They may even have the best team during the regular season. But that guarantees you nothing in October. I know other fanbases are frustrated with the Dodgers getting everybody. But in October, it might not mean a thing. Rest assured: By signing Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers have not guaranteed themselves anything. That is, after all, baseball.”
That is the truth!
I’d take our chances to repeat seriously. This team is better than the 2024 team. Come get us!!!!
This 2025 team has proven NOTHING yet.
If you know the game you know the roster construction; though impressive, doesn’t assure anything. Even if they win a historic number games in the regular season winning eleven games in the post season is EXTREMELY difficult.
GO DODGERS!!!
This team is much better.
Dodgers should be the team to beat for many years to come.
Not only are several key players on long-term contracts, but the farm system is loaded with young talent. And obviously the management is first-rate.
For the next five years, the rotation figures to include Snell, Shohei, Yamamoto and Sasaki. Glasnow is locked in for the next four seasons. That’s an all-star rotation.
I would like to see the Dodgers work out a deal with Sacramento or St Louis to get their closer. They have so many extra pieces on the team you would think that could happen. It feels weird saying Sacramento.
Hi I am Grant I am 12 years old and am a huge Dodger fan. I am excited for the dodgers and let’s get back to back rings!
Welcome Grant,
Like the Dodgers, we need to get younger on this blog. Having you here will help.
I was 9 years old when I became a Dodger fan. It seems like it was yesterday, but it was 62 years ago!
Yikes!
Welcome aboard young man! You’ll find the information on this site informative as well as entertaining.
Hey Grant, welcome to the board young man! There are a lot of knowledgeable folks in this forum. As you may already be aware, from time to time you may run into a post or two from someone who is having a bad day, but don’t take offense to it. Everyone here means well. Besides, if they cross the line they will have to deal with Mark. LOL
IMO, this is a great time to be a Dodger fan. This team is special. So indeed, let’s go get another ring.
Go Dodgers!
Welcome Grant. Go Dodgers
This could be the most dominate roster in baseball history. I wonder what the over/under on wins will be for this team this year. Last time I checked it was 102.5 but I’m sure it will go up.
They have to stay hungry as they did in 2024 to win a chamionship in 2025. That’s an important intangible,aside from a talented roster.
April Rotation:
Snell
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Sasaki
Miller
Gonsolin
June Rotation:
Snell
Glasnow
Yamamoto
Sasaki
Ohtani
Miller
Gonsolin
(Kershaw) takes the place of whoever is injured.
Or whoever is “injured”
But in an appearance on AM 570 in Los Angeles after the Sasaki news broke, David Vassegh of SportsNet L.A. revealed that the Dodgers’ latest spending spree might not be over just yet.
“Don’t rule out Tanner Scott,” said Vassegh. “Sasaki signing an international minor-league contract does not take up a 40-man roster spot. The Dodgers are at 39 [men] right now. That is a spot for a Major League reliever, which the Dodgers are on the record as saying they are looking for, and Tanner Scott is the best on the market right now.”
Sour grapes over the Sasaki news all over X. and some other social media platforms. One guy ever suggested that MLB should investigate the signing and he believes Sasaki was going to sign with LA all along.
I heard that the MLB just finished the investigation and the Dodgers were all good, I could be wrong though, I didn’t look into it that much. I don’t care what all those haters are saying. That won’t affect whether or not I am a dodger fan whatsoever
Excellent read over at the Athletic regarding the backstory of the recruiting/signing of Roki. Waiting to hear more of the process and how Yoshi actually contributed with the alleged phone call between he and Roki. Interesting to see how much Ohtani actually contributed and how much he was a part of the process. It was he who confirmed the signing to the Dodger brass even before Wolfe informed them.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6071231/2025/01/18/roki-sasaki-dodgers-inside-signing-selection-process/
Bottom Line:
Sasaki is a Dcdger!
Investigate all you want. .. just STFU!
Thanks everyone for welcoming me. I am excited to post a lot on here and talking to everybody.
https://x.com/gallegos_fam/status/1880780957042766104?s=46&t=nXLNGSsS5WhfBFCW9RcC4w
Interesting signing of 17 y/o pitching prospect out of Sudan. Hitting 95 mph on the gun, 6’7”, 185 lbs. give him some good nutrition, coaching, wait for him to fill out. Reminds me of JR Richard.
Exactly. Hopefully he has a better ticker than Richard.
A silver lining from the fallout of the Sasaki deal:
From TrueblueLA:
Dominican shortstop Darrell Morrell was set to join the Dodgers for roughly $1 million, but the Pirates got him for $1.8 million.
Venezuelan outfielder Oscar Patiño was going to sign with the Dodgers for $400,000, but instead signed with the White Sox for $570,000.
Dominican outfielder Teilon Serrano originally committed to the Dodgers, but ultimately signed for $847,500 with the Twins.
While it’s not clear what the Dodgers offered Serrano, presumably it was less than the Twins offered.
Not really sure how to interpret this info. Did Morell’s value skyrocket because teams knew the Dodgers wanted him? I assume he and the other guys had interest from multiple teams.
While some folks think the Dodgers “lost” these prospects, well, they never actually had them. And clearly AF & Associates place a greater value on Sasaki than the others combined. One reason is just Sasaki’s superstar-calibre talent. Another is the fact he is only 23.
I do not know the socioeconomic status of the Morell family, but I assume they aren’t wealthy. Imagine how thrilled his mom would have been to learn that the Dodgers were going to sign her boy for $1 million. And imagine how much more thrilled she’d have been when the Pirates bumped that total to $1.8 million.
Someday, maybe Morell will be facing Sasaki in the big leagues.
The prospects that the Dodgers “lost” turn out to be winners too.
International Free Agents and signing them is a shadowy, slimey business at best. It is somewhat like human trafficking. I think that it will be changed in the near future.
So far, the only Dodgers signing bonuses reported outside of Sasaki are for Panamanian left-hander Adrian Torres, who gets $365,000, and Venezuelan shortstop Luis Tovar, who gets $300,000, but they have evidently signed another player:
According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, “The Dodgers signed 17-year-old righthander Joseph Deng from South Sudan, believed to be the first player ever from South Sudan to sign a contract with a major league team.
Deng already has a big fastball for his age, reaching 95 mph. At 6-foot-7, 185 pounds, Deng has an extremely lanky, long-limbed frame with tons of space to fill out and continue to add velocity once he gets stronger. He has enormous physical upside and attacks hitters with a fastball/splitter combination.
The international signing period for this year opened on Jan. 15, though the Dodgers (like the Blue Jays and Padres) kept their signings on hold while waiting for Sasaki to inform them where he would be signing. With Sasaki in agreement to sign with the Dodgers and the team having acquired additional bonus pool space, the Dodgers have started to sign the players in their 2025 class, including Deng, as well as several players throughout Latin America.
While teams blanket the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and countries across Latin America to sign players, few teams besides the Dodgers have a scouting presence in Africa. Deng is the second player signed from Africa so far this year, following Armstrong Muhoozi, an infielder from Uganda who signed with the Pirates.”
It is also reported that the Dodgers also signed Venezuelan infielder Juan Macero and Ricardo Roman. There will be more….
Who cares who we lost in the International market this year. We signed a young generational pitcher in Roki Saski for a reasonable price with six years of contro who fits perferfectly into our six man rotation. AF and BG know more than all of us on this site what is best for the Dodgers.They both are the best in baseball.
so the entire baseball world is up in arms about this signing. some are posting elsewhere the dodgers are ruining the game. in a free market , aren’t you allowed to pursue your own career,place of employment, your own path? that’s what happened with Sasaki! Why aren’t the fans of atlanta,cubs,tigers,aaaastros, cardinals etc raising holy hell their teams aren’t doing more? As someone said, this signing doesn’t guarantee anything! it does guarantee that AF is doing his job! right? look at their lineup . Freddie. a bargain signing other teams could have matched. Kim. an unknown other teams could have signed. Mookie. an absolute thievery! boston “gave” him away! muncy. a castoff. Teo. nowhere near a top paid outfielder compared to other outfielders. Edman. hadn’t played an inning in 2024 before joining LA. Conforto. 25 teams could have signed him. the pitching. Snell could have probably gotten more elsewhere, but wanted to be a a dodger. Glasnow. talented but somewhat fragile. ( rays got a very good pitcher in return)! Yamamoto. expensive yes, but several teams were in on him. he also wanted to be a dodger. Kershaw. home grown. gonsolin . home grown. The bullpen. castoffs and sly trades by AF. the bench? not anything to blow your mind! And finally, ohthani. as big a signing as he is as a player, he’s just as big financially! so maybe sasaki was going to be a dodger all along? big deal! Steve cohen would do exactly what AF did if the players wanted to play for him. He got Soto , let’s see what he looks like in 5 years! the dodgers will be the favorites going into the upcoming season. 2 injuries to the pitching staff could propel the dbacks , mets or even the braves into a absolute threat to the dodgers chances of repeating. So owners, spend some of that moldy money and try to compete, (Pittsburgh with those stud starters). !!
AF has just completed his off season game plan .
Tanner Scott is a Dodger.
4 yrs/72 mil.
OMG!!!!!!!. What will the haters say after this signing?
Un-f’in-believable!!
Shohei will be happy he’s on the Dodgers and he won’t have to face him. The signing of Ohtoni and his deferred contract and the team’s promise to him to improve the team each year has led to this unbelievable 2025 roster with basically no holes. Injuries and staying hungry could only hold us back from another championship. The West Coast Evil Empire strikes again!!!!!!
Cancel the season.
Just go directly to the World Series.
My only question is, “Will they win 120 games or more?”
AF is smart with all his roster moves now because I’m sure there will be major changes when the MLB CBA expires on December 2026.
To me the biggest news and what definitely shows the Dodgers as heads-n-shoulders above everybody else is the signing of Deng from South Sudan – AYFKM!!
While he may never amount to more than an asterisk, the fact that they have a network in that part of the world – which isn’t exactly paradise or on anybody’s bucket list of places too travel is amazing and so far forward thinking to almost be comical.
Comes back to one of Mark’s best statements he ever posted.
The Dodgers are playing chess while everybody else is playing checkers!
It is getting to the point where it is now 3D chess vs. checkers!
Really enjoying this!
Also, welcome onboard Grant.
Wow, It’s going to be hard to figure out the active roster now. The Greatest team ever assembled. Hats off for AF and the owners.