SEATTLE MARINERS ESCAPE THE HEADACHE OF PURSUING ROKI SASAKI: A “WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN” STORY

🚨 A TURN OF FORTUNE FOR THE MARINERS: As Seattle Mariners fans reflect on the 2024-25 offseason, one significant storyline has taken an unexpected turn. What began as a failed pursuit of Roki Sasaki, the highly touted pitching prospect from Japan, now seems like a fortunate escape for the Mariners.

Sasaki, widely regarded as one of the top prizes of the offseason, caught the attention of every MLB team, including the Mariners, who used their connection to Ichiro Suzuki in an attempt to sway the young right-hander. Given the strong relationship between Ichiro and the Mariners, it appeared to be a slam dunk. However, Sasaki didn’t even take a meeting with the Mariners, opting instead for a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers—a choice that, at the time, felt like another significant step in the Dodgers’ perpetual quest for dominance.

What followed was far from the fairytale story Mariners fans had hoped for. Sasaki’s MLB journey started with some serious complications, including a shoulder injury that sidelined him for several months. But now, a year later, Sasaki’s situation with the Dodgers has turned into something far more volatile than anyone could have predicted.

SASAKI’S ROLLER COASTER START WITH THE DODGERS

As the Dodgers enter spring training, Sasaki’s role remains unclear. Despite his promise and potential, the 24-year-old is struggling to secure a spot in the rotation, with manager Dave Roberts emphasizing that Sasaki’s fastball and forkball alone won’t be enough to earn a starting role. “For me,” Roberts said, “he needs to develop a third pitch.”

Sasaki does technically have a slider, but it wasn’t effective in 2025, especially against right-handed batters. His struggles with the pitch led to a .250 batting average in those right-on-right matchups, and it’s unclear if a curveball or a sweeper would be the right fit to round out his arsenal.

What’s more, some evaluators question whether Sasaki’s delivery will even allow him to develop a third pitch. His individualistic approach has led to challenges in building a strong relationship with the Dodgers’ coaching staff. Roberts mentioned that Sasaki needs to be more open and show humility in accepting new ideas if he wants to continue his development with the team.

THE STRUGGLE FOR SASAKI’S SUCCESS

Sasaki’s early struggles in the majors are hard to ignore. With a 4.72 ERA and a 1.485 WHIP in his first full season as a starter, the writing seems to be on the wall for Sasaki. While the Dodgers are a two-time World Series champion, Sasaki’s resistance to adjusting his game could ultimately undermine his success.

If Sasaki remains unwilling to collaborate with the Dodgers’ coaching staff, he will be at a major disadvantage. The Dodgers have had success in shaping pitchers into elite talents, but even they will struggle to unlock Sasaki’s potential if he doesn’t adapt.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE MARINERS

So, what does this all mean for the Seattle Mariners? In reality, not much. Sasaki is not on the Mariners’ roster, and they already have a deep starting rotation. Despite the Mariners’ pursuit of Sasaki, their pitching staff is well-regarded, and they’ve found success developing young pitchers without the Japanese phenom.

However, it’s still intriguing to look back at what might have been. Sasaki joining the Mariners would have added another high-ceiling arm to an already impressive pitching development system. But now, with Sasaki encountering hurdles in Los Angeles, it’s possible the Mariners may have avoided a significant headache. Instead of dealing with the same developmental struggles the Dodgers are facing, the Mariners can focus on their current pitching staff and continue to build from within.

In the end, it may be a case of “sucks to be them” for the Dodgers. But if Sasaki figures things out in the future, the Mariners’ failed pursuit will likely return to looking like just another bummer that didn’t materialize.