Coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasakis agent insulted over nefarious Dodgers talk

Don’t place Roki Sasaki on any Hollywood billboards just yet.The Japanese ace’s agent, Joel Wolfe, pushed back against rumors that Sasaki is all but guaranteed to join the Dodgers once he is formally posted by his NPB team.The Post’s Joel Sherman reported earlier this month that “within the industry, though, the Dodgers are viewed as everything from a powerful favorite to all but having him secured already.”There is enough buzz and even speculation of an “unwritten agreement” that some rival executives have “informally” mentioned the rumors to the commissioner’s office, according to The Athletic.“While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement,” Wolfe told the outlet, “in reality, this is just poor sportsmanship.”As many have speculated about when Sasaki may become available to MLB teams, the Dodgers have been at the forefront of potential employers.Beyond their on-the-field prowess that includes being the reigning World Series champions, the Dodgers already employ two of the world’s best Japanese players in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.Their presence seemingly would help Los Angeles’ chances to land a third Japanese star.Wolfe also represents Yamamoto.Dallas Keuchel, who pitched alongside Sasaki for the Chiba Lotte Marines this past season, provided some substance to the unwritten agreement rumors in his exclusive interview with The Post.Such agreements are illegal, per The Athletic.“I heard some, some rumblings about a done deal with the Dodgers — you know, having a plan for him,” Keuchel told Sherman.

“And if I was Vegas, I would definitely put them as the favorite, but I don’t know.We never really talked about that.”The Dodgers rumors are particularly intriguing since it seems Sasaki would have to forfeit money to sign with the NL West powerhouse.Unlike Yamamoto, who signed a hi...