Logan Webb of the Giants mentions ‘Space Jam’ as an apparent reaction to the Dodgers winning the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes
Desired pitcher of Japanese origin Roki Sasaki is going to Los Angeles Dodgers. On Friday, the 23-year-old announced that he had signed a minor league contract with the organization.
Rocky’s arrival in Los Angeles solidifies the city and the baseball franchise as the preferred MLB destination for the best players in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Sasaki is the latest pitching sensation to pick off the reigning World Series champions. The team brought in pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and second baseman Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason.
In the hours since Sasaki publicly announced his decision, major league baseball players have shared their reactions to the move. However, San Francisco Giants Pitcher Logan Webb’s apparent reaction to the news made the point.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS REPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. (Darren Yamashita-USA Today Sports)
All-Star right-hander took to X on Friday and posted a GIF from “Space Jam.” The post featured a clip of the Monstars team along with the caption, “Time for some basketball.”
In the movie, the Monstars were made up of a group that stole talents NBA players effectively become a powerful super team.
WHO IS RŌKI SASAKI? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MLB’S JAPANESE PITCHING SENSATION
The action and animated sports film was released in 1996 and starred in the lead role Michael Jordan and several other NBA stars.
The Dodgers signed Ohtani to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023. While recovering from an injury prevented him from pitching in 2024, Ohtani hit a career-best 54 home runs en route to his third MVP award.
FILE – A Los Angeles Dodgers helmet stands on the field before the Dodgers take batting practice during the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. (Hailey Archambault/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
If Ohtani takes over pitching again at some point in 2025, he would be part of arguably the deepest and most feared pitching rotation in the major leagues. The Dodgers projected pitching rotation already includes Yamamoto, Dustin Mayo, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw. Gonsolin and May did not pitch in the MLB last season due to injuries and will likely need to be returned to the rotation.
Blake Snella two-time Cy Young Award winner, also signed with LA earlier this season.
LA pulled first baseman Freddie Freeman from Atlanta Braves 2022 Freeman had already won one National League MVP award and a World Series title with Atlanta before signing with the Dodgers. LA’s lineup also includes 2019 American League MVP Mookie Betts and a host of other star hitters.
Sasaki posted a 2.02 ERA over four seasons playing at the highest level of baseball in Japan. His fastball routinely tops 100 mph. He can also throw an impressive splitter, which enhances his potential to be an ace in the pitching rotation.
Team Japan’s Roki Sasaki, #14, reacts after a strikeout in the third inning against Team Mexico during the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
He played alongside Ohtani and Yamamoto during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
A long list of MLB clubs submitted information about their organizations to Saski and his agency in December during baseball’s winter meetings. By January, Sasaski had narrowed his choices down to the Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres — ultimately choosing Los Angeles.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Webb’s Giants also had a busy offseason, acquiring star shortstop Willy Adames and veteran pitcher Justin Verlander in free agency. San Francisco competes in the NL West and missed the playoffs last season. The Giants will have to contend with what is projected to be one of the best divisions in MLB in 2025.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports broadcast on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
