Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Sparks Buzz With Three-Word Roki Sasaki Update That Fuels Speculation Around International Star’s Future
In the world of Major League Baseball, three words can ignite a frenzy, and that’s exactly what happened when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave a cryptic yet telling update on Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have been linked to Sasaki for well over a year, and Roberts’ latest comments have only intensified speculation that the 22-year-old star could soon be donning Dodger Blue. With scouts watching his every pitch, fans tracking every development, and executives carefully navigating the complexities of international signing rules, Roberts’ three-word statement — “We’re still interested” — is reverberating across the baseball world.
It may not sound like much on the surface, but in the high-stakes game of international player acquisitions, every syllable matters. The Dodgers have long positioned themselves as major players in the pursuit of top international talent, and Roki Sasaki is no ordinary prospect. He’s considered one of the most electrifying pitchers to come out of Japan since Shohei Ohtani — and some scouts say his stuff might be even nastier. A right-hander with a fastball that routinely hits 102 mph, devastating off-speed pitches, and pinpoint control, Sasaki has dominated NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) with the Chiba Lotte Marines since his debut.
The Dodgers already boast one of the most formidable rotations in baseball, and adding Sasaki to a group that includes Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Walker Buehler could give Los Angeles an all-time elite starting staff. But acquiring Sasaki is not as simple as offering a contract. Due to MLB’s international posting rules and Sasaki’s young age, he’s still subject to the league’s international bonus pool system — which means the financial incentive for him to come to MLB now is limited, unless he waits until he turns 25 when he’ll be exempt from such restrictions.
Still, Sasaki has reportedly expressed a strong desire to pitch in the majors as soon as possible, and that has kept the Dodgers and other big-market teams hovering like hawks. The Dodgers, of course, are no strangers to international signings. Their recent blockbuster deal with Yamamoto — a 12-year, $325 million megadeal — shattered records and underscored the team’s commitment to not just competing, but building dynasties through global talent acquisition.
Dave Roberts’ understated but revealing comment came during a media session ahead of the team’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants. When asked specifically about Sasaki’s availability and the Dodgers’ position in potential negotiations, Roberts paused, smiled slightly, and said, “We’re still interested.” He didn’t elaborate, but his tone, timing, and track record with the press suggest that there’s more going on behind the scenes than the team is currently letting on.
MLB insiders were quick to react to the quote. ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeted shortly after: “Three words from Dave Roberts just shook up the international market. The Dodgers aren’t out on Roki Sasaki — not even close.” Ken Rosenthal followed with a detailed segment breaking down how the Dodgers remain one of the few franchises with both the international bonus pool flexibility and organizational patience to work within Sasaki’s current status.
The timing of Roberts’ comment is especially interesting, as it comes amid growing chatter that Sasaki could request formal posting by the end of the NPB season. In recent weeks, reports out of Japan indicated that Sasaki has been in discussions with the Marines’ front office regarding his future. Some insiders say he’s pushing for an earlier posting, despite potential financial sacrifices.
Sasaki’s motives appear to go beyond money. In multiple interviews, he has expressed admiration for MLB competition, naming pitchers like Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, and Shohei Ohtani as inspirations. He’s reportedly driven by a desire to test himself against the best in the world. And what better stage than the bright lights of Dodger Stadium, where global stars like Ohtani and Yamamoto are already becoming icons in the city?
From a Dodgers perspective, acquiring Sasaki would be yet another bold step in building an international superteam. They’ve made massive investments in global scouting, infrastructure, and analytics, and they continue to develop one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in baseball. Adding Sasaki would not only be a major statement of intent but would solidify Los Angeles as the epicenter of Japanese baseball culture in North America.
The potential rotation for 2026 — Yamamoto, Glasnow, Buehler, Bobby Miller, and Roki Sasaki — is the kind of thing that looks like a video game roster. And that’s without factoring in depth arms like Gavin Stone or prospects waiting in the wings. With Roberts’ comment acting as confirmation that the Dodgers are still in the hunt, fan speculation has exploded, with hashtags like #SasakiToLA and #RokiDodgerDream trending on social media.
Of course, other teams are also in play. The New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and San Francisco Giants have all been linked to Sasaki in various reports. The Yankees, in particular, have the market size, history with Japanese players, and prestige to be a tempting destination. But the Dodgers may have a unique edge: a winning culture, a Japanese-friendly clubhouse, and — perhaps most importantly — the presence of Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani and Sasaki have shared locker rooms on Team Japan and reportedly have a mutual respect that borders on mentorship. If Ohtani were to lend his voice to the Dodgers’ recruitment efforts, it could tip the scales significantly. In fact, there is already speculation that Ohtani has quietly spoken to Sasaki about life in MLB and the advantages of playing in Los Angeles. While nothing has been confirmed publicly, insiders believe the lines of communication are open.
In the end, Roberts’ “We’re still interested” comment might appear minimal — but its ripple effect could be monumental. It signals that the Dodgers are still monitoring the situation, still willing to pounce, and still building for a future that stretches beyond this season. Whether Sasaki comes in 2025 or 2026 remains to be seen, but it’s clear the door is wide open.
Dodgers fans, still riding high on the excitement of signing Yamamoto and Ohtani last offseason, now have another potential star to dream about. And for a franchise built on a blend of legacy, innovation, and bold moves, the possibility of adding Sasaki to their already elite roster fits right into the narrative.
As for Sasaki, his journey continues to unfold. He’s putting together another dominant season in Japan, regularly drawing scouts and media from the U.S. to his starts. Each outing brings more attention, more questions, and more hype. And each cryptic update from MLB managers — especially one like Dave Roberts — adds fuel to the fire.
So while “We’re still interested” may not be a contract, or even a promise, it is something — a signal that the Dodgers aren’t done. Not with their roster. Not with their ambitions. And certainly not with the pursuit of one of the most exciting young arms in the baseball world.
Only time will tell if Sasaki ends up in Los Angeles, but for now, fans can dream — and they have Dave Roberts’ three simple words to thank for that.
