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Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Gets $200 Million Contract Update After Dave Roberts' Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 7, 2025 2:45 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has been honest about where Roki Sasaki stands during his first season in Major League Baseball. Coming over from Japan, pitching in the big leagues isn't an easy task for anybody. Factoring in that Sasaki is still only 23 years old, it's tough to imagine any scenario where he becomes one of the top pitchers in the game right now.

However, Roberts has been very impressed with what he's seen out of him recently, saying that he's starting to become dependable and somebody that the Dodgers can lean on, perhaps the biggest compliment a starter could get.

“He’s starting to be that guy that we can count on and be dependable,” Roberts said, per The Athletic.

While Sasaki is on a cheap deal due to international rules, the Dodgers will eventually have to sign him to a long-term extension.

In a recent prediction from Jeff Passan of ESPN, he believes that number could get up to $200 million, adding that he doesn't hit free agency until November of 2030, making this an interesting point to consider.

“Of all those in the groups above $100 million, Sasaki is the biggest wild card. He also has some of the best potential of the group, making him a tricky player to place.

“Between now and November 2030, when the rookie is set to hit free agency, he could very easily blossom into the best pitcher in the world. He also could never find the 100 mph fastball he regularly threw in Japan and wind up a giant case of what could have been. This placement is simply a bet on his splitter, a true unicorn pitch,” he wrote.

Sasaki still has plenty to prove before he gets this type of deal, but he's been decent during his first seven outings, posting a 3.86 ERA.

His strikeout numbers will have to improve, striking out just 24 hitters in 30.1 innings.

The expectation is for the right-hander to figure that out in the near future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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