When the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, they did what many championship teams dream of doing: they got even more aggressive. Already loaded with star power and considered the best team in MLB, the Dodgers attacked the starting pitching market and brought in several high-profile arms. One of the most intriguing additions was ***** anese phenom Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander widely viewed as one of the most talented pitchers in the world. Signing Sasaki was the easy part. Because he was under 25 years old, the Dodgers didn’t have to hand out a massive free-agent contract. The difficult part came afterward.
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Sasaki’s rookie season did not go according to plan. The electric right-hander struggled to consistently command his pitches and failed to live up to the enormous expectations placed on him. Things became even more complicated when injuries entered the picture, limiting his ability to find any rhythm.
When he eventually returned, many expected the Dodgers to send him to the minor leagues or significantly reduce his role.
Instead, Los Angeles made a bold decision. The Dodgers moved Sasaki to the bullpen and trusted him in meaningful situations during their 2025 postseason run. While the move helped the club capture another championship, it also showed how committed the organization remained to his long-term development.