Dodgers predicted to sign former Yankees $7M All-Star, forming nasty duo with Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a World Series win against the Toronto Blue Jays to end the 2025 season. Once again, the Dodgers are favorites to win it all. LA is still figuring out its roster, but it seems Roki Sasaki will be on the Opening Day roster despite his struggles.
“Roki Sasaki was ‘electric’ against hitters likely to spend their summer in Double-A. Dodgers seem committed to riding this roller coaster with Sasaki. Dave Roberts: ‘I just don’t see a world where he doesn’t break with us as a starter,’” Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett wrote.
The Dodgers will start the season without one of their main arms, Blake Snell, who is still recovering from an injury.
“Blake Snell said his goal is to be back before the end of April –– but that he and the team are still nailing down an exact timeline. Dave Roberts said six weeks is ‘the floor’ for how much longer his recovery will take. Today, Snell’s bullpen was only 15 pitches, all fastballs, 87-88 mph. Wasn’t max effort yet,” Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris wrote.
The Dodgers could sign a starter while everything is being sorted out. One name to watch is Nestor Cortes.
“In all seriousness, the Dodgers’ starting rotation isn’t exactly what I’d call reliable. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow have extensive injury histories, and Roki Sasaki’s control issues should have the Dodgers concerned about his long-term viability as a starter. It’d be hard to fault anyone who’s skeptical that L.A. will have most of their rotation healthy by Aug. 1. Suppose Cortes is good to go by that point, even if he’s only going to be a long reliever? The Dodgers don’t strike me as the kind of team to pass that opportunity up,” FanSided’s Jake Elman wrote.
The Dodgers would benefit from adding a southpaw to the rotation, but it will be interesting to see which pitchers get healthy. At the end of the day, LA is going to do whatever it takes to get back to the World Series.
Adding Cortes won’t seem like a big move on the Dodgers’ already stacked roster, but it could provide a huge benefit. A signing like this could make an already rich roster even deeper.
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