The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent recent years aggressively building a global pitching pipeline, but their latest target represents a new frontier. Twenty-five-year-old right-hander Jo-Hsi Hsu of Taiwan’s Wei Chuan Dragons has been posted for international free agency, opening the door for MLB clubs—Los Angeles included—to pursue one of Asia’s most intriguing arms.
A Breakout Season Draws Stateside Attention
Hsu Jo-Hsi (徐若熙), who is being posted this offseason, spoke to the media:
🔸 Already visited Japan and had dinner with SoftBank Hawks chairman Oh Sadaharu.
🔸 Interested in visiting MLB facilities in USA.
🔸 NPB or MLB? His wife & kid will be a major factor in the decision. pic.twitter.com/Jl9UPAmmBm
— CPBL STATS (Taiwan Dark Lemon) 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) November 23, 2025
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Hsu’s posting comes after a standout 2025 campaign in the CPBL. Across 19 starts, he delivered a 2.05 ERA with a 28% strikeout rate over 114 innings—numbers that would stand out in any league but are especially notable in Taiwan’s offense-friendly environment.
Reports from Taiwan’s TSNA indicate the Dodgers are “one of the most proactive MLB teams” pursuing him, joining a group that includes the Blue Jays, Phillies, Mets, and multiple NPB clubs. Hsu himself has visited Japan and even dined with SoftBank Hawks legend Sadaharu Oh as he weighs his next step.
Starter or Reliever? Opinions Split on His MLB Fit
While his ERA jumps off the page, evaluators remain divided about his long-term role. FanGraphs analysts Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan noted that Hsu struggled to maintain velocity deep into starts this season. Their conclusion: “probable” MLB teams will view him as a reliever, with the upside of a late-inning weapon.
That projection only heightens his appeal for the Dodgers, whose bullpen—already hit by Evan Phillips’ Tommy John surgery—underperformed in 2025 despite big investments in Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Los Angeles has the rotation stacked for 2026, with Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani forming an all-ace group. Reinforcements, therefore, need to come in relief.
Why NPB Could Be a Stepping Stone
Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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There is, however, a financial wrinkle. If Hsu jumps directly to MLB, teams must pay a posting fee to the Dragons based on the value of his eventual contract. If he signs first with an NPB club, that fee attaches to the Japanese deal, giving an MLB team more flexibility later.
Some players, like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, have chosen a quicker path to MLB regardless of financial limitations. Hsu may follow that model, prioritizing competition over immediate earnings.
Dodgers’ Taiwanese Legacy Makes the Fit Natural
Should he decide to come to MLB now, Los Angeles offers history and opportunity. The Dodgers have rostered more Taiwanese players than any franchise, from Hong-Chih Kuo to Ching-Feng Chang. Hsu could be the next name added to that lineage—and possibly the next late-inning weapon the Dodgers hope can stabilize their bullpen in 2026.
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