Part 2/9:
Discussions about Sasaki's potential move to MLB began when he was posted last winter. Throughout this period, speculation swirled around which team would ultimately secure his services. Analysts pointed to the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres as the front-runners, creating a narrative of competition. However, insiders consistently indicated that the Dodgers had the edge due to their recent success, strong Japanese connections with players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and their status as reigning world champions.