The next Japanese phenom seems destined to join Dodgers, but there's a hitch

The magnetism that the Los Angeles Dodgers possess over the game's greatest Japanese stars is so strong that it's just assumed to be a foregone conclusion that the next phenom from the Land of the Rising Sun will land in Los Angeles.

It's known that the West Coast is the preferred destination, thanks to easier travel back to Japan and a time difference that isn't quite as egregious as it is in other parts of the country. That didn't necessarily mean the Dodgers are the only game in town, but when it comes down to location, plus having the money to win a bidding war, no one else could compete.

However, as things have developed, it's become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more Japanese stars the Dodgers collect, the more the next wave wants to come and play with their idols. The more Japanese players on the roster, the higher the team's profile rises and the more its popularity grows among the Japanese fan base.

It's gotten to the point that Los Angeles's financial advantage is no longer the deciding factor. That ended with Roki Sasaki, who signed as an amateur free agent, and whose decision was influenced by comfort rather than financial concerns.

The Japanese star that most have their eyes on is Teruaki Sato. The Hanshin Tigers slugger will be posted this offseason, and while the first destination that comes to mind for every is the Dodgers, he doesn't really make sense given the state of the roster.

Instead, the import that Los Angeles should be all over is 18-year-old high school star, right-handed pitcher Shoki Oda. Oda is already pumping 97-mile-per-hour heaters, and LA's outfielder-heavy farm system could definitely use an infusion of high-end pitching talent.

The Dodgers' Shoki Oda dream could be dashed by looming deadline

Oda announced that he's planning on pursuing an uncommon career path, forgoing the NPB draft and coming stateside either via the IFA process or the MLB draft. Shortly after that, it came to light that Oda is a Dodgers fan. Those dots aren't that hard to connect, and it seemed like Oda was destined to end up in Dodger Blue.

That would be a big deal. Not only is he a supreme talent with a ton of potential, but it would be near-groundbreaking. Oda wouldn't be the first Japanese high schooler to go the IFA route, with Shotaro Morii signing with the Athletics last year, but he'd be the second high-profile youngster to do it, while also being the first to land with a big-market club.

For the Dodgers, this could open up yet another pipeline to Japan. If Oda were to wind up in Los Angeles and have success, it would motivate more of the top Japanese prep talent to enter the IFA market, and of course, the Dodgers would become the premier destination.

The problem is that MLB insider Francys Romero has reported that Oda has yet to register for either the 2027 IFA period or the MLB Draft. The deadline is November 1, which means the clock is ticking.

That has led to some speculation that Oda could stay in Japan, scuttling Los Angeles's hopes of nabbing the top pitching prospect.

Complicating matters is the fact that the looming lockout could postpone or cancel next year's IFA period completely. International amateur free agents are eligible to sign with MLB clubs from January 15 through December 15, meaning the December 1 expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement is a major roadblock.

How this impacts Oda's plans is currently unknown, but it seems as if he's at least weighing his options again. While he could always try again next year, the sooner the Dodgers (or another MLB team) get their hands on him, the more time they'll have to put him through their development plan. If he pitches elsewhere in 2027, a major injury could be catastrophic for his future prospects and could kill Los Angeles's ability to break open an entirely new pipeline.

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