Roki Sasaki’s recent improvement is becoming part of the bigger picture for the Dodgers as they weigh how aggressively to pursue Tarik Skubal. The key takeaway from Sasaki’s stretch is simple: if he is trending upward, it gives Los Angeles one more reason to feel good about its pitching outlook.
According to the story, Sasaki is not just throwing the ball better. He has also made an adjustment by using a larger glove after the All-Star break in an effort to deal with earlier issues. That change appears to be tied to better results, and even Sasaki has sounded more relaxed about where his game stands.
For the Dodgers, that matters beyond one pitcher’s individual progress. A rising Sasaki could give the club more flexibility as it evaluates whether adding another major arm such as Skubal is worth the cost. Internal improvement often shapes trade thinking, especially for a team balancing immediate needs with long-term plans.
That does not mean Sasaki’s surge ends the conversation around Skubal. Instead, it gives the Dodgers a stronger position as they assess their options. If Sasaki keeps moving in the right direction, Los Angeles can approach any pursuit of Skubal with more confidence and a clearer sense of what it already has.
