Report: Phillies and Dodgers are ‘all-in’ on Japan’s aces Roki Sasaki and Tomoyuki Sugano as MLB pursuit heats up
The MLB hot stove is heating up, and one name is at the center of it all: Roki Sasaki. The Phillies have assigned scouts exclusively to Japan, keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old phenom who’s about to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, making him available to MLB teams.
The Phillies aren’t the only ones watching. The Dodgers, who just landed both Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rode their star power to a 2024 World Series title, are also seen as major contenders for Roki Sasaki.
Phillies assign scouts exclusively to Japan to watch Yomiuri Giants pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano and Chiba Lotte Marines pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Roki Sasaki:
For those unfamiliar, Roki Sasaki has become a legend in Japan. With a blistering fastball that touches 100 mph, a splitter that leaves batters guessing, and a slider that’s only getting nastier, Sasaki has been torching hitters since his NPB debut in 2021. His resume includes a lifetime 2.02 ERA, 524 strikeouts in just 414 2/3 innings, and a perfect game that included an NPB record 13 consecutive Ks.
While his 2024 numbers dipped slightly—2.35 ERA, a 96.9 mph average fastball—Roki Sasaki still looks primed to take on the MLB, and teams are lining up for the chance to land him. Here’s the twist: because Sasaki is under 25, he’s subject to international signing restrictions, just like Ohtani was in 2017.
That means the team that signs Roki Sasaki will get him under control for six years before he hits unrestricted free agency, making him one of the best value deals this offseason.
Roki Sasaki Coming Soon:
The Dodgers already broke the bank with Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million deal and Ohtani’s $700 million contract, proving they’re all-in on Japanese talent. Adding Sasaki would only solidify their dominance.
The Phillies, however, aren’t just watching from the sidelines. With scouts dedicated to Japan and an exclusive focus on Sasaki, they’re ready to make their move.
Once he’s posted, MLB teams will have 45 days to negotiate, and any deal will come with a release fee to the Chiba Lotte Marines. If no agreement is reached, Sasaki returns to NPB for the 2025 season, but something tells me teams won’t let that happen.
The Dodgers might be the favorite, but the Phillies’ commitment shows they’re serious about landing Sasaki. A young arm like his could be a franchise-changer, and fans are ready to see which team lands one of the most electric pitchers in the game.
Tomoyuki Sugano:
After spending his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Tomoyuki Sugano, a 35-year-old right-hander, is coming off a stellar season with the Yomiuri Giants, where he posted an impressive 1.67 ERA over 24 starts.
As one of the most accomplished Japanese pitchers of his generation, Sugano brings a wealth of experience and success to the table and his accolades are hard to ignore. Sugano is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, which is essentially the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young, alongside two Central League MVP awards and four ERA titles.
Tomoyuki Sugano in the 2017 World Baseball Classic:
Tomoyuki Sugano is expected to sign with a #MLB team in free agency per @jeffpassan.⁰⁰How good is he? Here’s him striking out Christian Yelich, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton and Nolan Arenado x3 in the 2017 WBC Semifinal pic.twitter.com/L8KcSH8Szh
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) October 5, 2024
Tomoyuki Sugano’s resurgence this season has reignited interest from MLB teams, especially after his near move in 2020 when the Giants posted him but no agreement was reached before the deadline.
This season, Sugano has showcased a well-rounded arsenal, averaging 92 mph on his four-seam fastball while also effectively utilizing a two-seamer, an 82 mph slider, an 87 mph cutter, and an 86 mph splitter, complemented by a looping curveball at 77 mph.
His six-pitch mix has kept hitters guessing, leading to positive run values across all his offerings. Sugano’s command has been exceptional—over 156⅔ innings, he’s walked only 16 batters and surrendered just six home runs, proving that his pitching intelligence more than compensates for any velocity concerns.
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