Japanese right-handed pitcher Rōki Sasaki has made his much-awaited free agency decision, announcing on Instagram that he is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers just days after the international signing period commenced on Jan. 15.
The Dodgers were long-rumored to be the favorites for his services, though the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays earned their spot at the table as the other finalists. San Diego’s decision to sign international free agents Carlos Alvarez and Jhoan De La Cruz, per reports from Francys Romero and The Athletic’s Will Sammon, ruled it out as Sasaki’s destination earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Toronto executed a trade with the Cleveland Guardians for center fielder Myles Straw that also netted them $2 million in international bonus pool money, though it wasn’t ultimately enough to swing the sweepstakes in its favor.
Sasaki’s salary is set at the league minimum on a minor league deal given his status as an international amateur at 23-years-old, though he’ll receive a bonus from the Dodgers.
After helping Japan win the World Baseball Classic in 2023 and recording a 2.10 ERA over four seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines, he’ll join a star-laden roster in Los Angeles that features his fellow countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the franchise looks to defend its World Series title.
