The Dodgers are viewed as the favorites to sign Sasaki. But based on his conversations with league sources, Jim Bowden doesn't agree.

For years, Seattle was regarded as a premier destination for Japanese players making the jump to Major League Baseball. The Mariners had strong ties across the Pacific: They had a longtime owner, Hiroshi Yamauchi,

Japanese starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is widely viewed as one of the best baseball players outside of the United States,

The Dodgers have sought to, in the words of manager Dave Roberts, “paint the country of Japan blue” through their leveraging of last winter’s Japanese signings, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They’ve fostered a strong relationship with Sasaki’s agent,

Even though the Philadelphia Phillies will likely pursue Roki Sasaki, is is unlikely that they would be one of the favorites to sign him.