The reason why he rushed to advance to the ML by even causing friction with "165km perfect monster" Chiba Lotte is "more valuable than money."

The reason why he rushed to advance to the ML by even causing friction with "165km perfect monster" Chiba Lotte is "more valuable than money."

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Loki Sasaki joined the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the 23rd (Korea time). Wearing a uniform with No. 11 that was given up by Miguel Rojas, Sasaki said in a press conference why he chose the Dodgers.메이저사이트

It was in the winter of 2023-2024 that Sasaki's "rumors" joining the Dodgers started circulating. After achieving a perfect game in 2022 and proving that he is capable of playing against a major league-class hitter at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Sasaki delivered his intention to challenge for the Chiba Lotte Marines after the 2023 season ended. However, Sasaki's dream did not come true at the time.

Despite being considerate to build a professional body without ever being on the first team stage since his first season, Sasaki failed to meet the regular innings as well as full-time due to large and small injuries. Of course, he did not allow Sasaki to challenge as Chiba Lotte's contribution to the team's performance was inevitably low. In particular, as it was revealed that Sasaki did not stamp the salary contract on whether to advance to the big league or not, Sasaki had to face tremendous criticism and criticism.

At that time, rumors about Sasaki began to circulate in the U.S. and Japan. He said that he already signed a contract with the Dodgers. This was also confirmed by the words of "Cy-Young Award winner" Dallas Keuchel, who shared a meal with Sasaki at Chiba Lotte after the 2024 season. "I heard that I signed a contract with the Dodgers, but I have not talked about signing a contract with Sasaki," Keuchel told the New York Post. When Sasaki was posted, most predict that he would join the Dodgers.

However, when I opened the lid, the atmosphere changed strangely. The Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the Toronto Blue Jays were included in the list, and a video of Sasaki playing catch at Petco Park in San Diego sweatsuit was leaked. Jim Bowden, who served as the general manager of the Washington Nationals in the past, predicted that Sasaki would wear a San Diego uniform, and local media also predicted that he would go to San Diego.

However, nothing unexpected happened. After interacting with Dodgers players, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman's MVP trio, Sasaki officially joined the Dodgers through SNS on the 18th. "It was a very difficult decision, but I will try to make sure that it was the right decision when I look back after my baseball career," San Diego added.

Since then, people who had expected Sasaki to join the San Diego Padres have begun to question. It was said that the Dodgers may have made a "tampering" based on its decision to join the Dodgers from the winter of 2023-2024. The Major League Baseball secretariat drew the line that there was no tampering, but many still have doubts. In the meantime, Sasaki revealed the reason why he chose the Dodgers through his joining ceremony on the 23rd.

"It was difficult to choose only one because I was attracted to all clubs, but I believe that the best conclusion is that I decided to go to the Dodgers and I want to move forward for those who believe in my possibilities," Sasaki said. "All the clubs were attractive, and after discussing many things, I decided that the Dodgers were the best overall. The biggest strength of the Dodgers was that the front desk was stable."

Sasaki said, "We didn't value the presence or absence of Japanese players in the negotiations. Both Ohtani and Yamamoto are excellent players. I had great expectations that I might be able to play with them because there are many other great players," adding, "I will do my best to be on that stage first."

Sasaki also revealed the reason why he rushed to the big leagues even though he was able to raise a large amount of money through a general posting system rather than an international amateur contract. "I'm often told to wait two more years, but there's no guarantee that I can face two years like this," Sasaki said. "I decided that spending two years is more valuable to me than money."

This is linked to what Sasaki said on NHK's "exclusive adhesion, background of Rocky's transfer to Major League Baseball" on the 22nd. "I ruptured elbow ligaments prior to the opening of 2020. Some doctors suggested Tommy John surgery," Sasaki said. "Hearing that without throwing the ball in the professional league, I felt that I could not know when I would not be able to play baseball or when I would not be able to perform as I am," he said, explaining why he rushed to join the Major League.

Therefore, it seems that Sasaki asked the Dodgers what the club thought about the decrease in his average speed. What will happen if Sasaki, who has doubts about his physical condition, chooses time over money.