Notes: Sasaki, Ohtani, Hernández
12/30/2024 09:02 AM
The Dodgers are among six teams to have already met with Sasaki.
After Corbin Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks, Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is now the most coveted pitcher on the open market.
The Dodgers have been considered the favorite to land the 23-year-old right hander, but five other teams had met with Sasaki before the Dodgers landed their opportunity.
Five other teams have had meetings with Sasaki; the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs.
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has more on the Dodgers' meeting with Sasaki, noting that teams aren't able to snatch a deal with the pitcher until Jan. 15.
Sasaki is expected to shrink the number of teams he is considering and hold a second round of meetings with those teams in 2025. Sasaki's posting window closes Jan. 24. He cannot sign before Jan. 15, when the 2025 international signing period begins.
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Shohei Ohtani concluded his extraordinary 2024 by announcing that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, will be expecting their first child together.
Ohtani posted to his Instagram on Saturday a picture of his dog, Decoy, next to a onesie, baby shoes, and an ultrasound photo with the caption, "Can't wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!"
Ohtani announced in a separate social media post in late February that he married Tanaka, and now the two will find a new chapter together as first time parents.
Dodgers fans received a late Christmas gift when Teoscar Hernández took to his Instagram story to announce that he would be returning to the Dodgers. He will stay in Dodger blue for the next three years, with a price tag of $66 million, including a $15 million option for the 2027 season.
The Dodgers are bringing back a vibrant presence in the clubhouse and a premium outfield bat that can only be satiated by being presented with opportune moments to produce in clutch situations.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times delves into how valuable Hernández has been for the Dodgers when being overshadowed by his superstar, MVP caliber teammates.
