The Los Angeles Dodgers have intensified their pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, aiming to outbid the San Diego Padres. Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander renowned for his 100 mph fastball and devastating splitter, was posted by Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines, allowing MLB teams a 45-day window to negotiate, starting December 10, 2024.
Due to Sasaki’s classification as an international amateur free agent, he is subject to MLB’s international bonus pool restrictions, limiting the signing bonus teams can offer. The Dodgers, working from the smallest international bonus pool for the 2025 period, are exploring strategies to maximize their offer, including potential trades to increase their bonus pool allocation. This approach is crucial to surpass the Padres’ bid, as both teams are keen on adding Sasaki to their rotations.
The Dodgers’ commitment to signing Sasaki is evident, with President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman stating, “He’s someone that is obviously a major priority for us, and we’re going to do whatever we can.” The Padres, however, remain optimistic, with manager Mike Shildt expressing, “We’re going to put the full-court press to make it happen.” As negotiations progress, both teams are leveraging their resources and organizational appeal to secure Sasaki’s talents for the upcoming season.
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