Dodgers reunion with blockbuster trade prize seen as ‘perfect’ Roki Sasaki pivot

AALIYAN MOHAMMED

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a busy offseason. They made a big upgrade to their starting rotation with Blake Snell, but that may not be the last of their pitching moves.

The Dodgers and San Diego Padres are seen as favorites to land Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki. However, if the Dodgers cannot land Sasaki they could make a move to bring back Jack Flaherty. The Athletic’s Will Salmon and Ken Rosenthal noted that Flaherty could be open to a shorter deal, perhaps convincing the Dodgers to sign him. FanSided’s Katrina Stebbins called him the “perfect” pivot from Sasaki.

Bowden Francis on Blue Jays’ interest in Roki Sasaki

”The question would be if the Dodgers would really want another starting pitcher who isn’t Sasaki,” wrote Stebbins. With either of them, LA would have eight starting pitchers. Either Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin are already likely to get bumped to the bullpen when Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani are both ready to pitch in 2025, but sacrificing both could be something the Dodgers are only willing to do for Sasaki.”

Flaherty stepped up for the Dodgers in 2024 when he was acquired from the Detroit Tigers. With injuries in the rotation, the Dodgers leaned heavily on Flaherty. During the World Series parade, Flaherty noted his desire to stay with the Dodgers.

“This is unbelievable, I love this city. I never want to leave,” said Flaherty.

Perhaps his desire to play for his hometown team is enough to convince him to sign a less lucrative deal. Regardless, his future with the Dodgers will depend on the team’s desire to bring him back.

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