Tag: Los Angeles Dodgers

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MLB (Baseball)

Dodgers mark 2024 World Series win with Ice Cube and Kirk Gibson at home opener

Ice Cube enters the field with the World Series Trophy

It’s a new season, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are still celebrating their 2024 World Series win.

Rapper Ice Cube arrived at the Dodgers’ dugout in a classic blue convertible with the Commissioner’s Trophy sitting in the front passenger seat. Magic Johnson carried the trophy to home plate as the crowd of 53,595 cheered loudly before the Dodgers’ home opener against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

The Dodgers won 5-4, with Teoscar Hernández hitting a three-run homer and Shohei Ohtani adding a solo shot.

“It’s always great here, especially in front of the fans,” Hernández said.

Players and staff will get their World Series rings before Friday’s game.

Los Angeles started the season in Tokyo earlier this month with two wins against the Chicago Cubs.

Thursday focused on honoring the Dodgers’ victory over the New York Yankees, marking their eighth World Series championship and second since the pandemic-delayed 2020 season.

“I thought the ceremony was fantastic,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The fans were really into it.”

Kirk Gibson came out to throw the first pitch to World Series MVP Freddie Freeman. Gibson, who was injured, hit a pinch-hit, walk-off homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series against Oakland, becoming a memorable part of Dodgers history.

Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1 against the Yankees was similar to Gibson’s heroics. Freeman came out on the field with his wife, three sons, father, and stepmother while fans chanted “Freddie! Freddie!”

“Gibby meet Freddie,” Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis said, referring to last year’s Game 1 moment when he said, “Freddie meet Gibby” after Freeman’s homer.

Earlier, Dodgers owners Mark Walter, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Todd Boehly, and Johnson raised a blue-and-white World Series flag in center field.

Los Angeles Dodgers players in the opening ceremony

In right field, a baseball with “2024” in blue lettering was revealed by captains from the Los Angeles and Pasadena fire departments, joining others that mark the franchise’s World Series titles.

The new champions wore jerseys with “Dodgers” in gold script on the front and their names and numbers in gold on the back.

“We nailed it,” Roberts said.

Led by Ohtani, players in the starting lineup ran down a blue carpet from center field to the infield as blue smoke and white fireworks went off.

The Tigers watched from their dugout while Detroit starter Tarik Skubal warmed up in right field near the carpet. Ohtani briefly acknowledged him as he jogged by.

Two F-15C aircraft from Fresno, California, and two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from Arizona flew overhead after Josh Groban sang the national anthem.

A video showing last season’s victory played after clips of the World Series trophy visiting NFL and NBA games in Los Angeles and its trip to Tokyo.

Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernández stayed home because he was sick. He’s expected to return Friday, though he won’t be in the starting lineup.

“My hope is that he’ll be here ready to come off the bench,” Roberts said.

Mookie Betts started at shortstop after missing some time with an illness that caused him to lose 18 pounds.

“After the game he looked like he wasn’t fatigued, which is a good thing,” Roberts said. “My expectation is that he’ll be back in there tomorrow.”

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MLB (Baseball)

Yankees start bearded era with a win; Ohtani homers for Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout

The New York Yankees showed they can still win while looking a bit rough, and Baltimore’s Tyler O’Neill might be the best player on Earth during the first game of the season.

As expected, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani delivered more big hits for the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers as Major League Baseball celebrated its domestic opening day with 14 games on Thursday.

New York’s Carlos Rodón, with a well-groomed short beard, gave up just one run over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven, leading the Yankees to a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. In February, the Yankees announced they were ending their 49-year ban on beards.

O’Neill hit a home run for the sixth straight opening day to extend his own record, hitting a three-run homer in the Orioles’ 12-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished 3 for 3 with two walks and three runs scored.

Even more special, the Canadian played in his home country for the first time on opening day.

Ohtani hit a solo homer and scored twice for the Dodgers, who improved to 3-0 this season with a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers had previously beaten the Cubs twice in Tokyo to start the season on March 18 and 19.

Yankees shake off rough spring, get win

Austin Wells became the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer on opening day, helping the Yankees to their win over the Brewers.

It was a good day in New York after a tough spring in Florida.

The Yankees faced many injuries during Grapefruit League play, losing ace Gerrit Cole for the season after learning he needed Tommy John surgery. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton (sore elbows), reigning AL Rookie of the Year pitcher Luis Gil (lat strain), right-hander Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue), and infielder DJ LeMahieu (left calf strain) also started the season on the injured list.

None of that mattered against the Brewers. New closer Devin Williams, an All-Star acquired from the Brewers in a December trade, worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to seal the win.

Orioles power up

O’Neill’s record-extending homer was just one part of Baltimore’s strong offense. The Orioles hit six home runs in their big win over the Blue Jays, including two homers for both catcher Adley Rutschman and center fielder Cedric Mullins.

Rutschman’s power display suggests he’s ready to bounce back from a slightly disappointing 2024 season when he hit .250 with 19 homers. The two-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick finished with three hits.

Noaln Arenado hits a home run in the 8th inning

Winning White Sox

The Chicago White Sox took advantage of a fresh start, beating the Los Angeles Angels 8-1.

The White Sox were coming off a 41-121 record last season, which set the post-1900 major league record for losses in a season. Chicago is still expected to be in rebuilding mode this summer, but at least for one day, the White Sox looked like an improved team.

Sean Burke threw six scoreless innings, Andrew Benintendi, Lenyn Sosa, and Austin Slater all hit homers, and Will Venable won his MLB managerial debut.

For the Angels, it was their 11th opening day loss in 12 years.

Arenado goes deep

Nolan Arenado is still in St. Louis and still a very good baseball player.

Arenado hit a solo homer in the Cardinals’ 5-3 win over the Minnesota Twins, saluting the home crowd with a curtain call.

The Cardinals tried to trade the eight-time All-Star third baseman during the offseason, but nothing worked out, so the 33-year-old is back at Busch Stadium’s hot corner, at least for now.

Dodgers keep winning

There’s no way the Los Angeles Dodgers will go 162-0 this season, right?

Right?

Well, they’re 159 wins away after beating the Tigers on Thursday. The big-budget Dodgers have looked great so far in the early season, showing they’re a strong contender to win back-to-back World Series titles for the first time since the Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000.

Ohtani hit his second homer of the season, going deep in the seventh. Teoscar Hernández hit a three-run homer, and two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell pitched well in his Dodgers debut, giving up two runs over five innings after signing a $182 million, five-year deal during the offseason.

Carlos Rodon pitches in the 1st inning

Quick hits

Miami’s Sandy Alcántara gave up two runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 5-4 win against the Pirates in a strong return after missing all of the 2024 season after Tommy John surgery.

Alcántara was the 2022 NL Cy Young award winner. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, who won the NL Rookie of the Year award last season, gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings. … Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits and Manny Machado added two doubles as the Padres beat the Braves 7-4.

Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 6-4 victory over Cincinnati, ruining Terry Francona’s debut as Reds manager. … New Mets star Juan Soto struck out with two on base in the ninth to end New York’s 3-1 loss to Houston.

Soto signed a record $765 million, 15-year deal during the offseason. … Washington’s MacKenzie Gore struck out a career-high 13 batters against Philadelphia, but the Phillies rallied for a 7-3 win. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber hit home runs for the Phillies.

Boston’s Wilyer Abreu dedicated a two-homer game to his newborn twin boys. Abreu went deep twice in Boston’s season-opening 5-2 win at Texas, including a tiebreaking three-run shot in the ninth. … Catcher Miguel Amaya had two doubles and five RBIs to lead the Cubs past the Diamondbacks 10-6.

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MLB (Baseball)

Dodgers accept White House invitation, call it a “huge honor.”

Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrates in the 8th inning

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they have accepted an invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their World Series victory.

The team will make the trip on April 7, a Monday, before playing the first game of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. On April 8, members of the Dodgers will also visit Capitol Hill, the team confirmed.

“It wasn’t a formal conversation that we had as a ballclub,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House. It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor, so it’s a great honor for all of us.”

The Dodgers’ White House visit is particularly significant because of a controversy surrounding a story about Jackie Robinson’s military service. The story was temporarily removed from the Department of Defense’s website last week as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion through a “digital content refresh.”

Robinson served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II and then broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A statue honoring him stands in Dodger Stadium’s center-field plaza.

Even though the story about Robinson’s service does not mention DEI, it was among many others removed from government websites recently.

Roberts, who has often spoken about the importance of diversity in major league coaching and front office positions, said he was unaware of what happened with the Robinson story. After being informed by a reporter, he responded, “I think I’m happy that the page went back up. I have my strong opinions on DEI and all that stuff, but that’s another scrum.”

In 2019, near the end of Trump’s first presidency, Roberts mentioned in a Los Angeles Times profile that he would not visit the White House if the Dodgers won the World Series that year. When reminded of this on Tuesday, Roberts smiled and said, “Did I?”

“I’m going,” he added. “I respect the position. It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so, looking forward to it.”

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after the win

The Dodgers visited the White House under Joe Biden’s presidency after winning the championship in the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19. Four years later, on October 30, 2024, they secured their first full-season title since 1988 by beating the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series.

Trump was elected president about a week later. A couple of months after that, he clashed with local politicians and California Governor Gavin Newsom following wildfires that impacted parts of L.A. At one point, he threatened to withhold federal aid over disagreements about the region’s water management.

The Trump administration later passed an executive order to address water shortages and regulatory obstacles affecting disaster response in Southern California.

Dodgers chairman Mark Walter and part-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson were chosen by Newsom to lead a project focused on supporting wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts in L.A., pledging up to $100 million to help with the initiative.

Johnson has spoken out against Trump in recent years, but the Dodgers, through their X account, said on Tuesday they “look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title.”

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MLB (Baseball)

Sasaki, Crews, and Domínguez are some of the most exciting rookie prospects for the 2025 baseball season

Roki Sasaki poses as he is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers

It seems like there is another talented group of rookies who could make a big impact in the majors this year. Baseball’s next big star could come from this year’s rookie class.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most interesting rookies this year:

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki

The Dodgers became even stronger when they signed Sasaki to a minor league contract in January, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus. The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, known for his fastball that can reach over 100 mph, had a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA during four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League. The star-studded Dodgers may use a six-man rotation during parts of the season to help Sasaki adjust to the majors.

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez

With Juan Soto leaving in free agency, there’s now a chance for Domínguez to get regular playing time with New York. Known as “The Martian,” Domínguez was signed for a $5.1 million bonus when he was just 16 years old in 2019. He made his major league debut in 2023, but his progress has been slowed by elbow and oblique injuries. Last year, he hit .314 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 58 games across three minor league teams.

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews

The smooth-hitting Crews was selected by Washington with the second pick in the 2023 amateur draft, right after his LSU teammate Paul Skenes was picked first overall by Pittsburgh. Crews is a well-rounded player, hitting .270 with 13 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 100 minor league games last year. He was called up by Washington in August and stole 12 more bases while hitting .218 with three home runs in 31 games during his first time in the majors.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe

The 22-year-old Jobe joins Detroit’s rotation after throwing four scoreless innings in two relief appearances during his first big league experience in September. He also pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, in the playoffs. The Tigers selected Jobe with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft.

Jackson Jobe pitches in the 9th inning

Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw

Shaw takes over at third base for a Cubs team hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The 23-year-old Shaw was picked by the Cubs with the 13th pick in the 2023 draft. Last year, he hit .284 with 21 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases across two minor league teams.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony

The Red Sox have a strong outfield with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu, but the 20-year-old Anthony, who is one of baseball’s top prospects, is pushing for a spot. He ended last season with Triple-A Worcester, hitting .344 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 35 games, along with a .982 OPS. He could make his big league debut this summer.

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Jordan Lawlar

Lawlar, the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft, was slowed down by thumb and hamstring injuries last season. Despite this, there is still a lot of potential in the 22-year-old shortstop. He played in just 23 minor league games last year, but he hit .318 with two home runs and 20 RBIs. He will start the season with Triple-A Reno to get regular playing time.

Athletics infielder Jacob Wilson

Jacob Wilson, the son of former big league infielder Jack Wilson, is an important part of the A’s future as they prepare to move to Las Vegas. Wilson made his major league debut in July, and the 22-year-old shortstop hit .250 with three RBIs in 28 games. The No. 6 pick in the 2023 draft also had an impressive minor league season, batting .433 (90 for 208) with seven home runs and 39 RBIs in 53 games last year.

San Diego Padres outfielder Tirso Ornelas

Ornelas had a strong season with Triple-A El Paso, hitting .297 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs in 128 games. The Mexico native was signed by San Diego as part of its 2016 international signing class. Although he was sent to minor league camp late in spring training, he could make his big league debut this summer.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano

The 35-year-old Sugano signed a $13 million, one-year contract with Baltimore in December. He is coming off his third MVP season in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League, where he went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants. With Corbin Burnes leaving in free agency, the Orioles are hoping Sugano can help improve their rotation.

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Clayton Kershaw signs a one-year, $7.5 million contract to return to the Dodgers for his 18th season in Los Angeles

Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw (MLB)

The return of three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw brings a 36-year-old leader to the Los Angeles Dodgers, valued for his experience after nearly 20 years with the team.

Los Angeles hopes that the 10-time All-Star can still contribute on the field, including another World Series win.

Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed on a one-year contract worth $7.5 million on Thursday, adding depth to a pitching staff that may soon include Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin.

“I want to be here,” Kershaw said at his locker. “I’m thankful that I get to be here.”

Kershaw is expected to start on the 60-day injured list after undergoing foot and knee surgeries in the offseason, but he hopes to be ready when he can be activated. He has been working out at Camelback Ranch, doing long toss and running after spending much of the offseason on crutches or in a walking boot.

“The foot surgery has been hard — it’s not a fun surgery,” Kershaw said. “It’s just not an easy process, but I finally started to turn the corner a few weeks ago. Being able to throw, all those things, it hasn’t felt this way in a while. So that’s good.”

Manager Dave Roberts said the team looks forward to Kershaw’s presence both on and off the field. Roberts shared that Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner who signed a five-year, $182 million contract in November, asked for a locker next to Kershaw’s to learn more about pitching.

“That’s what he means to this clubhouse, this organization,” Roberts said. “Clayton being around has been uplifting and positive, for him and the other players.”

Kershaw’s 18th season with the Dodgers would tie him with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most in franchise history. He is coming off an injury-shortened 2024 season in which he posted a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA in seven starts, striking out 24 in 30 innings.

He did not pitch in the postseason for Los Angeles, which won the World Series for the second time in five years. Kershaw said not contributing in October is one of the reasons he’s motivated to get back on the mound.

Clayton Kershaw winds up in the game

“It just didn’t feel like it was the right time,” he said about the possibility of retiring. “Even though we won, being on the shelf for that, it wasn’t the way I scripted it out. Still super thankful to be a part of it last year and get to see everything, but I want to be out there when it happens.”

Kershaw said he never considered signing with another team.

“I’m a Dodger,” he said. “I’m so thankful for this organization. I don’t think I put enough merit on it at times, what it means to be in one organization for your entire career. You look at people throughout all of sports that have been able to do that, and it’s special. I don’t want to lose sight of that.”

Los Angeles plans to use a six-man rotation, and the longer breaks between starts could benefit Kershaw. Roberts knows juggling the rotation could be challenging at times because of all the options, but it’s a welcome problem.

“As we’ve seen, pitching plays itself out in a lot of different ways,” Roberts said. “So knowing we’ve got him in our back pocket is pretty exciting.”

Kershaw has a 212-94 record with a 2.50 ERA in 429 starts and three relief appearances over 17 seasons. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed right-hander River Ryan on the 60-day injured list.

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Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles state there is no evidence linking Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, to a gambling addiction

Ippei Mizuhara Released on $25K Bond; Allegedly Stole $16M from Shohei Ohtani
Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Ohtani in an interview

Federal prosecutors stated that there is no evidence to support Ippei Mizuhara’s claims of having a gambling addiction, which he says caused him to accumulate massive debts, according to court documents.

Mizuhara, who was Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter for a long time, is set to be sentenced on February 6 after pleading guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud in June.

Earlier in the year, Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports betting debts. Prosecutors are seeking $16 million in restitution to Ohtani and an additional $1.1 million to the IRS.

Prosecutors have recommended a 57-month prison sentence with three years of supervised release, while Mizuhara’s attorney has requested an 18-month sentence. The defense claims Mizuhara has a “long-standing” gambling addiction, saying he owes $40.7 million and visited casinos four to five times a week. His lawyer added that Mizuhara attends Gamblers Anonymous meetings three times a week.

Prosecutors have responded by stating that Mizuhara gave “self-serving and uncorroborated statements” to the psychologist he hired for sentencing purposes.

“All defendants claim to be remorseful at the time of sentencing,” the prosecutors wrote. “The question courts must answer is whether the defendant is truly remorseful or whether they are just sorry they were caught.”

The investigation, according to prosecutors, found “only minimal evidence” of legal gambling in Mizuhara’s history after reviewing over 30 U.S. casinos. They found that Mizuhara spent $200 at one casino in 2008.

Prosecutors also said Mizuhara created a FanDuel account in 2018 but never made a bet. In 2023, he started using DraftKings after he had already stolen millions of dollars from Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani reacts after fouling a pitch in the Game 3

Prosecutors argue that Mizuhara did not have a large gambling debt as he claimed and that his actions, including stealing from Ohtani, were not due to gambling problems.

Last week, prosecutors released an audio recording where Mizuhara impersonated the Los Angeles Dodgers star to transfer $200,000 from Ohtani’s account, saying the money was for a car loan. The government also claims Mizuhara tried to make a fraudulent $40,000 transfer from Ohtani’s account in 2021 while having over $34,000 in his checking account.

“Mizuhara could have used his own money to pay the bookie but instead chose to steal from Mr. Ohtani,” prosecutors stated.

The federal criminal complaint reveals that Mizuhara placed 19,000 sports bets with an illegal bookie from December 2021 to January 2024, betting amounts between $10 and $160,000, with an average bet of $12,800. Mizuhara placed about 25 bets a day.

Records show he won about $142.3 million from sports wagers but lost over $182.9 million, resulting in a net loss of roughly $40.7 million.

Prosecutors argue that a “significant period of incarceration is necessary” for Mizuhara due to his theft from Ohtani, and claim that Mizuhara feels ashamed because of the international attention his fraud schemes have received.

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MLB (Baseball)

Audio reveals Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pretending to be the Dodgers’ star in a $200K wire transfer scam attempt

A nearly four-minute audio recording of Ippei Mizuhara, who was Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, was released this week by federal prosecutors. The recording shows Mizuhara impersonating the Los Angeles Dodgers star to try to wire $200,000 from Ohtani’s bank account.

The prosecutors’ filing explains that Mizuhara called the bank 24 times, pretending to be Ohtani while speaking with an employee. He told the employee that he needed to send $200,000 for a car loan. When asked about his relationship to the person receiving the money, he said, “He’s my friend.”

The agent asked if Mizuhara had met the friend in person. Mizuhara replied, “Yes, many times.” Later, when asked if he planned to send more money to his friend, he said, “Possibly.”

Earlier in the spring, Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover sports betting debts. Prosecutors requested that this amount be returned to Ohtani, along with an additional $1.1 million to the IRS.

Ippei Mizuhara answers the media questions

In June, Mizuhara pleaded guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud in a federal court in California. Federal prosecutors have suggested a 57-month prison sentence, while Mizuhara’s lawyer has requested 18 months, citing Mizuhara’s gambling addiction and a debt of $40.7 million. His lawyer mentioned that Mizuhara is attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings three times a week.

Mizuhara is set to be sentenced on February 6.

The scandal first became public in March, just as Ohtani was getting ready for his first season with the Dodgers.

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Teoscar Hernández’s Future Uncertain Amid Dodgers Stalemate and Red Sox Speculation

Teoscar Hernández
Teoscar Hernández (MLB)

Teoscar Hernández had a breakout year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting a career-high 33 home runs and playing a pivotal role as their cleanup hitter. His contributions helped the Dodgers secure a World Series title, making his return to the team seem like a foregone conclusion. However, despite mutual interest in a reunion, a deal has yet to materialize.

Stalemate Over Salary Expectations

Hernández is reportedly seeking an annual salary of $22-24 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The Dodgers, for reasons unclear, have not met these demands, leaving negotiations at an impasse. This hesitation could force both sides to move on, potentially creating opportunities for other teams eager to capitalize on his talents.

Teoscar Hernández
Teoscar Hernández (MLB)

Content creator Jim Riley speculated in a recent video that the Dodgers’ stalemate with Hernández might lead him to sign with the Boston Red Sox. Riley highlighted Boston’s aggressive approach to signing right-handed bats, making them a logical destination. Given Hernández’s strong offensive stats, including 99 RBIs and 137 OPS+, he would be a valuable asset for any lineup.

Red Sox’s History of Signing Dodgers’ Stars

The Red Sox have a track record of acquiring former Dodgers, including Justin Turner and Kiké Hernández. This week, they also signed Walker Buehler. Adding Hernández to their roster would continue this trend and bolster their offense, especially as they seek reliable right-handed hitters.

While the Dodgers and Hernández share an interest in a reunion, financial disagreements have stalled progress. As one of the best right-handed bats currently available, Hernández’s next move could significantly impact the 2025 MLB season.

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MLB (Baseball)

Roki Sasaki Chooses Dodgers Over Cubs Strengthening Los Angeles Pitching Depth With Japanese Star

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (MLB)

The Los Angeles Dodgers emerged as the victors in securing Roki Sasaki, a star international pitching prospect from Japan, following his decision to join the team this offseason. Sasaki, 23, announced his move via Instagram, opting for the Dodgers over other strong contenders such as the Padres, Blue Jays, and Cubs. The Cubs had high hopes of landing the Japanese phenom and were among the final eight teams vying for his signature. Despite their efforts, Sasaki ultimately chose Los Angeles, further cementing the Dodgers as a powerhouse destination for international talent.

Cubs Reflect on Competitive Recruitment Process for Sasaki

The Cubs expressed pride in their recruitment efforts despite missing out on Sasaki. General Manager Carter Hawkins emphasized that the process was fair and thorough, highlighting the organization’s dedication to presenting a compelling case. Cubs personnel, including President Jed Hoyer, noted the team’s commitment to making Chicago a premier destination for international players. The team’s extensive preparation, including scouting trips to Japan and comprehensive presentations, demonstrated their serious pursuit of Sasaki, though the Dodgers’ track record with Japanese players likely influenced his decision.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (MLB)

With Sasaki’s decision finalized, the Cubs turned their attention to refining their pitching rotation and overall roster depth. Anchored by standout lefty Justin Steele and All-Star Shota Imanaga, the team’s rotation also features Jameson Taillon, who had a career-best season in 2024. Free-agent additions Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea enhance the mix, alongside promising young talent such as Cade Horton and other prospects. Cubs staff and players emphasized the importance of having strong pitching depth, a lesson reinforced through their experiences in past seasons.

Cubs’ Legacy of Attracting Japanese Talent

Under Hoyer’s leadership, the Cubs have built a reputation for attracting Japanese talent, signing key players like Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki in recent years. These signings not only bolstered the team’s on-field performance but also demonstrated the organization’s global reach and commitment to fostering international relationships. Despite missing out on Sasaki, the Cubs’ efforts further solidified their position as a team willing to invest heavily in top-tier international prospects, maintaining a foundation for future opportunities.

Though the Cubs were disappointed in not landing Sasaki, they remain optimistic about their roster and the recruitment process. Manager Craig Counsell and President Jed Hoyer expressed pride in the organization’s dedication and the lessons learned from this experience. The time and resources invested in the pursuit of Sasaki were seen as valuable, reinforcing the team’s commitment to excellence. While the Dodgers strengthened their rotation with Sasaki, the Cubs look forward to leveraging their existing talent and remaining competitive in the seasons to come.

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MLB (Baseball)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a four-year, $72 million deal with Scott, part of their $452 million investment in eight players

Tanner Scott answers questions during an introduction

The Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a four-year, $72 million contract with reliever Tanner Scott on Thursday. This deal brings the team’s offseason spending to $452 million on eight players.

Scott, a left-handed pitcher, made his first All-Star appearance last season. He finished with a 9-6 record, a 1.75 ERA, and 22 saves in 24 opportunities. Scott played for both Miami and San Diego in 2023, joining the Padres on July 30. In 72 innings, he struck out 84 batters and walked 36.

Scott expressed his excitement during his introduction at Dodger Stadium, saying, “It’s going to be a really exciting year. There’s a great group of guys. They keep adding people and it’s awesome to see and I’m ready to be a part of it. Whenever the (bullpen) phone rings, I’m ready to go. I just want to win.”

Scott’s Career Stats

At 30 years old, Scott has a career record of 31-24 with a 3.56 ERA and 55 saves. He has played for Baltimore (2017-21), Miami (2022-24), and San Diego. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes mentioned that the team had long admired Scott, saying, “He’s someone that we have watched and admired from afar over the years and have tried to acquire multiple times, even last year as well and we failed to do so.”

Dodgers’ Offseason Spending

After winning their second World Series title in five years, the Dodgers made several key moves. They signed utilityman Tommy Edman to a $74 million, five-year contract, outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a $66 million, three-year deal, and right-hander Blake Treinen to a $22 million, two-year deal.

Tanner Scott
Tanner Scott (MLB)

In addition to Scott, the Dodgers added left-hander Blake Snell ($182 million for five years), outfielder Michael Conforto ($17 million for one season), second baseman Hyeseong Kim ($12.5 million for three years), and right-hander Roki Sasaki (minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus).

Dodgers’ Strategic Approach

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, explained the team’s approach for the offseason: “Going into this offseason it was ‘Let’s do everything we can on the front end. Let’s be as aggressive as we can and be in a position where we don’t have to go to market in July.’”

Big Investments by the Dodgers

During the 2023-24 offseason, the Dodgers committed over $1.3 billion to five players, including two-way star Shohei Ohtani ($700 million for 10 years), right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($325 million for 12 years) and Tyler Glasnow ($136.56 million for five years), Hernández ($23.5 million for one year), and catcher Will Smith ($140 million for 10 years).

The Dodgers also owed release fees to Japanese clubs, amounting to $50,625,000 for Yamamoto and $1,625,000 for Sasaki.

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MLB (Baseball)

Ohtani told the Los Angeles Dodgers that they have secured highly regarded Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki

Roki Sasaki poses as he is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani shared the exciting news with the Los Angeles Dodgers that highly regarded Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki would be joining their team. Ohtani sent a message to Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, even before Sasaki’s agent reached out to the club.

“It was pure excitement when we found out,” said Friedman, on Wednesday, during Sasaki’s introduction outside Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his reaction included “some expletives, maybe.”

Sasaki signed a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus. At 23 years old, Sasaki wore a No. 11 jersey with “R. Sasaki” on the back, becoming the 13th Japanese player to join the Dodgers.

Like Ohtani, Sasaki owns a dog—a black toy poodle. Sasaki even wore socks with a dog’s face on them.

“We share the same birthday,” Sasaki said, smiling, through a translator.

Sasaki is a right-handed pitcher whose fastball exceeds 100 mph. He made the decision to join the Dodgers public on Friday. Sasaki had met with eight teams, and after narrowing down the options, he visited the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.

“The Padres and Blue Jays made tremendous pitches, presentations. They left it on the field,” said Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe. “When they left Toronto, I felt like he could easily go to Toronto. When we left San Diego, I felt like he could easily choose San Diego. When he came here, I really thought the entire process, it was a coin flip. I had no idea what he was going to say when he said, `OK, it’s Dodgers.’”

Sasaki joins fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the Dodgers in a move that many baseball executives had expected.

“I am deeply honored that many teams reached out to me with such enthusiasm, especially considering I haven’t achieved much in Japan,” Sasaki said through a translator. “It was an incredibly difficult decision to choose just one.”

Shohei Ohtani runs onto the field for introsuction before Game 3

Though Sasaki has pitched just under 400 innings in Japan, Friedman confirmed that Sasaki will be part of the team’s starting rotation right away.

“His goal is to be the first Japanese pitcher to win a Cy Young and he definitely possesses the ability to do that,” Friedman said. “The plan is to hit the ground running in spring training.”

Friedman praised Sasaki as “one of the most electrifying and promising talents in the game” and mentioned that the Dodgers have been tracking Sasaki for the past six years. Their scouts first saw him when he was in high school in Japan.

“Even then his explosive fastball, pinpoint command and poise beyond his years stood out,” Friedman said.

During the winter meetings last month, Wolfe denied that a deal with the Dodgers had been set already.

“I believe this was a fair and level process,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe added that MLB had investigated the situation.

“It was a long process,” Roberts said. “Roki kept things really close to the vest. There’s been a lot of man hours that have been put in this process and a lot of airline miles also.”

When asked why he chose the Dodgers, Sasaki replied, “I thought the Dodgers were at the top. The number one thing that stood out was the stability of the front office.”

Sasaki had until Thursday to finalize his contract. He was classified as an international amateur under MLB’s rules because he is under 25 and has not spent six years in the Japanese major leagues, meaning he is subject to international signing bonus pools.

Los Angeles started with a pool of $5,146,200 but increased it to $8,102,800 with a pair of trades last week, acquiring $1.5 million from Cincinnati and $1,456,600 from Philadelphia.

Roki Sasaki is introduced by Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers plan to use a six-man rotation, which could help Sasaki adjust to MLB, as the team seeks to become the first back-to-back champion since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.

“He definitely asked about it and was curious about what the plan was,” Friedman said.

Sasaki talked about his experiences with natural disasters. When he was 9 years old, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami in his hometown. The disaster destroyed his house and resulted in the loss of his father and paternal grandparents.

“As I also lived through a difficult time due to a natural disaster, I’ve always made sure to never lose sight of my goals and keep looking forward,” he said. “Los Angeles is facing challenging and difficult times right now. As a member of the Dodgers, starting today I am dedicated to give my best and strive forward with the people of this city.”

Sasaki was made available to MLB teams for a 45-day window by the Chiba Lotte Marines, part of an agreement between Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB.

The Marines will receive a release fee of $1,625,000, which is 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus. The payment is due within 30 days after MLB approves the contract.

Last year, Sasaki was 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games, striking out 129 batters in 111 innings. His season was limited by shoulder inflammation. In 2023, he had a 7-4 record with a 1.78 ERA in 15 starts, despite suffering from an oblique injury. Over his four seasons with the Marines, Sasaki has a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and pitched a perfect game against Orix in April 2022.

In addition to Sasaki, the Dodgers signed other international amateur free agents, including Venezuelan infielders Luis Tovar ($397,500) and Moises Acacio ($197,500), Panamanian left-hander Adrian Torres ($362,500), and Colombian shortstop Luis Luna ($137,500).

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MLB (Baseball)

Los Angeles Dodgers’ 33-HR hitter is expected to move to the Boston Red Sox after a quick shift following a failed reunion

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after the win

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Teoscar Hernández appear to be stuck in a situation with no progress.

After an impressive first season with the Dodgers, it seemed likely that Hernández would return to the team where he had his best year. The 32-year-old hit a career-high 33 home runs and played an important role in the World Series-winning lineup.

Both the Dodgers and Hernández have expressed interest in a reunion, but so far, nothing has happened. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Hernández is asking for a salary between $22-24 million per year, but the Dodgers have yet to meet that demand.

Potential Move to the Red Sox

If the situation doesn’t change soon, both sides might have to move on. This could open the door for another team to make a move, which would not be surprising given the history of former Dodgers stars joining other teams in recent years.

In a recent YouTube video, content creator Jim Riley predicted that the Dodgers’ talks with Hernández would eventually end, allowing him to sign with the Boston Red Sox.

Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a team picture after the win

“Once it is evident that a Dodgers deal is just not there… I think we will see a quick pivot,” Riley said.

“There’s a team here that has vowed to spend money and be aggressive and grab a righty bat, and I’m going to go with the Boston Red Sox as my prediction for Teoscar.”

Hernández’s Strong Performance and Red Sox Needs

Along with his 33 home runs, Hernández finished last season with 99 RBIs, an .840 OPS, and a 137 OPS+. He is one of the top right-handed hitters available right now, and the Red Sox are in need of right-handed bats in their lineup.

The Red Sox have already signed former Dodger Walker Buehler this week, and they’ve added ex-LA players Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, and Kiké Hernández in recent years. If Hernández joins, he will be the latest former Dodger star to make the move to Boston.