Sasaki, Reduced to a "Shocking Trade Card"... Rushing into the U.S. → Two Consecutive Seasons of 4.00 ERA Underperformance: "Perhaps a Foreseen Outcome"

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Frequent injuries and performance falling short of his immense potential. Will Roki Sasaki (25, LA Dodgers) ultimately be used as a trade card? A shocking prediction has emerged in the U.S., suggesting that the Dodgers may leverage Sasaki to bolster their shortstop position.

Dodgers Way, a U.S. media outlet primarily covering Dodgers news, recently observed that the Dodgers could use Sasaki as a trade chip to acquire Los Angeles Angels infielder Jack Neto (25).

Neto is certainly a high-value card. Drafted by the Angels in the 13th overall pick of the first round in 2022, he entered the major leagues the following year and has achieved at least 20 home runs for three consecutive seasons. Although his batting average was limited to .239 this season, he recorded career-highs with 27 home runs and 77 RBIs.

His value was significant, as his Wins Above Replacement (bWAR) according to Baseball Reference exceeded 5.0 in all of the past three seasons. The outlet explained, "While he carries the challenge of a high strikeout rate reaching 30.5%, he possesses elite-level hitting for a shortstop and is highly rated for his outstanding defensive skills, having recorded a career Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of 35."

Of course, this trade is not easy to realize in reality. The outlet noted that the Angels are not eager to deal with their local rivals, the Dodgers, and there is no guarantee that this stance will change under the new ownership regime led by Stan Krokoski.

Moreover, even if the Angels were to consider a trade, they would likely demand corresponding compensation including pitcher Justin Robleski, catcher Dalton Rushing, and Sasaki, among others.

It was also pointed out that while the Dodgers could certainly afford it, Neto is a player who will soon require a high-value extension contract, and whether he can naturally integrate into a new team remains a variable, making him an excessively expensive price to pay.

From the Dodgers' perspective, there may still be regrets in using Sasaki as a trade card. As a pitcher with a maximum velocity exceeding 160 km/h and a powerful forkball, his potential remains high. However, his fragile physique, which has never allowed him to complete a full season of qualifying innings even during his time in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), is manifesting as a weakness in the major leagues, making it understandable that fatigue levels would rise.

Furthermore, he lacked impact, appearing in only 10 games last year with a record of 1 win, 1 loss, and 2 holds, and an ERA of 4.46. This season, he has managed just 5 wins, 5 losses, and 1 hold in 26 games, with an ERA of 4.49. While he pitched 122⅓ innings and recorded 123 strikeouts, his Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) was a disappointing 1.32.

This is clearly a different trajectory from Japanese teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who are enjoying great success. It is not an entirely unexpected result. Yamamoto and Ohtani were players who had completed their preparation for the major league challenge by consistently dominating the league during their NPB careers.

However, Sasaki was different. He achieved the youngest perfect game in history and recorded 19 strikeouts in a single game, showing impact that did not lag behind anyone, but he lacked consistency. Even after missing his first professional season entirely due to physical management issues, his maximum innings pitched over the remaining four seasons was only 129⅓ innings. That figure came from just 20 games.

Criticism also followed regarding work ethic issues. Rumors circulated that he had joined spring training late after causing noise during salary negotiations by demanding an early move to Major League Baseball. In the following season, he requested posting, and ultimately Chiba Lotte Marines sided with Sasaki. Sasaki, who had not properly contributed to the team, moved to the U.S. through an amateur contract, leaving without paying a transfer fee via posting. This was why public opinion toward Sasaki in Japan was also unfavorable.

Although he wore the Dodgers uniform, he ultimately spent two disappointing seasons, making it impossible to avoid criticism for having pursued his ambitions without being properly prepared.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original