Japanese ace Roki Sasaki announced his intention to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, choosing the defending World Series champions over the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, among other teams who showed interest in obtaining his services.

Roki Sasaki is a pitcher who embodies the phrase "freak of nature." His electrifying stuff has had scouts drooling over him ever since he was a high school sensation, but the road to Major League Baseball is far from straightforward.

Over the last year, there had been speculation around MLB that the Dodgers had a possible handshake agreement in place with pitcher Roki Sasaki.