MLB has investigated allegations that Roki Sasaki’s free-agent process was compromised by a pre-arranged handshake deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and found no evidence to support the claims.
According to an official, the league conducted an investigation before authorizing Sasaki’s posting and spoke to “numerous parties,” including teams and agents. The investigation aimed to ensure that all protocols were followed and that the process was fair for everyone involved.
Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, had previously denied any pre-determined deals, stating that MLB did its due diligence to ensure a fair process.
While the investigation has cleared Sasaki of wrongdoing, it is unlikely to satisfy critics who claim that the Dodgers’ aggressive pursuit of the young player was suspicious. The Dodgers’ success and reputation, including their World Series championship last year and strong player development system, made them the obvious choice for Sasaki’s services.
The investigation has highlighted the complexities of the international free-agent system and Japanese posting rules, which resulted in Sasaki receiving a lower signing bonus than might have been expected if he had entered the open market. The Dodgers’ advantage in this regard was largely due to their existing reputation and relationships with Japanese players, making it easier for them to secure Sasaki’s services.
Despite the lack of evidence, critics are likely to continue expressing concerns about parity in MLB and the Dodgers’ dominance on the free-agent market.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-investigation-reportedly-found-no-evidence-of-roki-sasaki-dodgers-handshake-deal-before-he-was-posted-231112216.html