National League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani set the record straight: He has not tried to recruit Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to join the Los Angeles Dodgers next season.
“I haven’t really been recruiting him in any way,” Ohtani said after winning MVP on Thursday. “Obviously we’ll stay in contact. I consider him a friend. I’ll respect his decision wherever he wants to sign, and I think he’ll do well wherever he goes.”
The Sasaki sweepstakes have been the most popular storyline this winter. Which team will land the 23-year-old pitcher? Does any team have a better chance than the Dodgers?