Dodgers Among Finalists for Japanese Phenom Roki Sasaki, but Jack Flaherty Reunion Could Be in the Cards
The Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as one of the top contenders to sign Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, joining the San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays as the three finalists for the highly coveted ace.
As the search for Sasaki intensifies, an interesting development has surfaced regarding the Dodgers’ rotation. Should they miss out on Sasaki, the team could turn to a familiar face: Jack Flaherty, who is considering a shorter-term deal with opt-outs after his free-agent market has not developed as expected. This potential move opens the door for a reunion between Flaherty and the Dodgers, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.
While the Dodgers have a stacked rotation, even after the departure of Walker Buehler to the Boston Red Sox, there are concerns about injury risks. With Blake Snell now on the roster and a mix of established names like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May, the team appears to have depth. However, questions remain, especially with Shohei Ohtani recovering from Tommy John surgery, and injuries to Glasnow, Gonsolin, and May could further stretch the rotation.
In light of these uncertainties, the Dodgers may view Flaherty’s potential return as a valuable insurance policy. If Sasaki opts for the Padres or Blue Jays, bringing Flaherty back on a short-term deal could be an ideal solution as Los Angeles looks to defend its 2024 World Series title.
