The Dodgers cemented their status as the preferred MLB destination for NPB stars and transformed their rotation into a Mount Rushmore of Japanese pitching luminaries by winning the Rōki Sasaki sweepstakes.

Similar to how last winter was defined by the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes ... including Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki and slugging first baseman Pete Alonso. And as Soto himself knows, after ...

Sasaki, nicknamed in Japan as "the Monster of the Reiwa Era," struck out 11 batters in 7 and ⅔ innings with a 3.52 ERA during the 2023 WBC. In Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he struck out 129 hitters in 111 regular-season innings for the Marines in the 2024 season.

Rōki Sasaki might be the best free agent still available for MLB. Here is everything to know about the Japanese superstar.

Rōki Sasaki is a highly talented Japanese pitcher, known for his blazing fastball and devastating slider. He gained major attention in 2022 after throwing a perfect game with 19 strikeouts. Sasaki is regarded as one of Japan's top pitching prospects and has attracted MLB interest.

From Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Álvarez and José Ramírez to all those Atlanta Braves, these are baseball's best values and team-friendly signings and extensions.

With just two days before the window to sign him opens, the field for star Japanese right-hander Rōki Sasaki has narrowed.

Ohtani once eschewed the Dodgers for the Angels, and got stuck in a six-year playoff drought. The Dodgers’ new Japanese rookie phenom Sasaki made a different call.

The night before Roki Sasaki was to be introduced at Dodger Stadium, the Japanese pitcher met LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and others at his first Lakers game.

Sasaki said he prioritized joining a team that would embrace a Japanese player, but explained that there were other reasons that he ultimately chose the Dodgers.

Unlike the rest of the baseball world, Los Angeles Dodgers brass were not informed of Roki Sasaki's decision via his coveted Instagram post.