The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes has come and gone, baseball fans. It was a wild ride for humans across the world, as we waited on the edge of our seats to see where the Japanese superstar would sign this off-season. But, like any nightmare……it ended in turmoil and regret. It, sadly, ended with the 23-year old pitcher signing with the “bad guys” out in LA.

Los Angeles Dodger, Roki Sasaki. pic.twitter.com/5f9VxjiJsM

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 23, 2025

It was a move that sent every human outside of Los Angeles into a pit of despair. The ‘Dark Order’ became even stronger. Their chances of winning another title have grown even larger. It’s a move that real baseball fans were dreading ever since the thought of Roki coming to the U.S. became a thing. But sadly….it happened, and now we have to deal with it.

But having said all of that……it looks like there is one human out there who is “happy” that the ‘Sasaki Sweepstakes’ is over. It looks like there is one “big-leaguer” who is a bit relieved (jokingly, of course) that he doesn’t have to be a part of his teams ‘pitches’ anymore.

That man…..is Padres’ All-Star CF Jackson Merrill.

Jackson Merril on being part of the Padres’ Roki Sasaki pitch

“it was cool but after that I don’t want to eat any more raw fish.”@SportingTrib

— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) February 1, 2025

Merrill, for those of you who didn’t know, had an ELECTRIC start to his big-league career with the San Diego Padres. In his 156 games played with the team, the ‘Silver Slugger’ posted a VERY impressive stat-line of;

.292 BA, 24 HRs, 90 RBIs, 16 SB, .326 OBP, .500 SLG

He was a BIG PART of San Diego’s success last season, helping to lead the squad to a 93-69 overall record. His electrifying performance cemented himself as a key-piece of this team’s success, and someone who they CERTAINLY want to continue building around heading into the future. So because of that, the Padres’ OBVIOUSLY had the man involved in their attempts to land Sasaki. They would’ve been crazy not to!

But according to the rising star……it sounds like the food served during the pitches became a bit to much for him. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Merrill indulged on a little too much sushi, and now wants to stay away from the stuff. There’s nothing wrong with that, because too much of a good thing can turn ANYONE off of something very quickly. But to hear him say that at a press conference……it just ended up putting the biggest smile on my face.

It did, it really did. To say that about the ‘Sasaki Sweepstakes,’ over anything else, is just too damn funny! It’s one of those moments that you KNEW was going to make waves across social media, and I loved it so much! Jackson Merrill is an absolute gem, and someone who should be protected at all times. Sure, he may never like sushi ever again. But that’s ok; not a lot of people do.

Hopefully the excess fish doesn’t throw him off his game this season. But in the end, as always…..what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.