How Roki Sasaki's Signing With Dodgers Sparks Suspicions

Japanese baseball star Roki Sasaki's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers has sparked some suspicions among Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Despite a process involving 20 out of 30 MLB teams, Sasaki ended up with the Dodgers, as many expected. This has raised questions about whether the decision was influenced by a pre-existing deal. Former general managers from the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds have expressed their doubts. They believe there might have been an agreement between Sasaki and the Dodgers before the official negotiation window began. These executives plan to ask MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to investigate the matter. The suspicions were around even before Sasaki was officially made available for signing. In November, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred assured that any violations of the rules would be investigated thoroughly. However, a recent investigation by the MLB office found no evidence of wrongdoing. Joel Wolfe, Sasaki's agent, has denied any impropriety in the signing process. Some reports suggest that while the Dodgers did not need to sell themselves to Sasaki, the team's strong position made them a natural choice. Moreover, the investigation did not completely rule out the possibility of a pre-arranged deal. It simply found no evidence to support the rumors. The Dodgers were always seen as the favorites due to their suitability for the young pitcher.