Miguel Rojas graciously gave up his No. 11 jersey to Roki Sasaki as the Los Angeles Dodgers gear up for spring training. Rojas, a 35-year-old infielder, expressed his contentment with life and his sole desire for Sasaki to help secure another championship for the team.
The Dodgers, fresh off their second title in five seasons, have made significant additions to their roster. They welcomed prized 23-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki from Japan, along with left-hander Blake Snell. The team is also anticipating the return of two-way star Shohei Ohtani to the mound in April or May after recovering from elbow surgery.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell is making a number change to honor former skipper Jim Leyland, who emphasized the significance of 11 postseason wins during the 1997 World Series. The Cubs will kick off the season against the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been proactive during the offseason, committing $452 million to eight players. Notable signings include Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández, and Blake Treinen. The team also secured Tanner Scott, Michael Conforto, and Hyeseong Kim, among others.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred commended the Dodgers for their organizational prowess and commitment to providing fans with a top-tier product. The New York Mets, under owner Steve Cohen, made a significant investment in outfielder Juan Soto and other free agents in pursuit of their first World Series title since 1986.
MLB has implemented rule changes for the upcoming season, including stricter penalties for violations of the shift rule and a new rule regarding baserunners running through second or third base. Additionally, the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics will face logistical challenges as they prepare for seasons in temporary ballparks due to stadium issues.
