Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced Friday on Instagram. Sasaki, 23, was considered the best pitcher in the world, not yet under the employ of a MLB organization. He will receive a $6.5 million signing bonus, reports the Los Angeles Times.
THE Toronto Blue Jays And San Diego Padres would have been the other two finalists for his services.
During four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, he compiled a 2.35 ERA and a 5.76 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His strikeout percentage of 26.8% is by far the best among active starting pitchers to go from NPB to MLB. Sasaki threw a perfect game with 19 strikeouts in April 2022.
Here is a translation of his Instagram post: “I signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. » Sasaki wrote. “It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back on my baseball career. I want to put my sleeve on the Dodgers uniform during the opening conference, thanking everyone who has supported me thus far.
Given his age and lack of service time, Sasaki was classified by MLB as an amateur free agent and therefore subject to international bonus pools. He can only sign a minor league contract and his signing bonus with the Dodgers was capped at $8,233,920. This is their initial bonus pool of $5,146,200 plus the additional 60% each team is allowed to acquire via trades. To reach $6.5 million, Los Angeles must acquire an additional $1,353,800 in bonus space by next Thursday (Jan. 23).
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Shortly after Sasaki’s announcement, the Dodgers reached separate deals sending minor league outfielders Dylan Campbell to the Philadelphia Phillies and Arnaldo Lantigua at Cincinnati Reds for undisclosed amounts, international bonus pool money, the team announced. Bonus pool space can only be redeemed in increments of $250,000. Neither Campbell nor Lantigua are among Los Angeles’ top 30 prospects, by MLB pipeline.
Here is part of our reconnaissance report on Sasakiranked 7th free agent in the class:
Sasaki has been on the world’s radar since throwing a perfect game 19 strikeouts as a 20-year-old in 2022. He combines elite speed with a devastating splitter/forkball. Sasaki has dealt with his share of injuries, limiting him to 33 starts combined over the past two seasons. His earning potential is completely removed due to his classification as an amateur free agent. Nonetheless, a fully refreshed Sasaki has a chance to make an immediate impact in the majors.
Sasaki’s designation as an amateur free agent delayed his signing, as he waited until the bonus pools reset on January 15 to make his decision. His 45-day assignment window expires at 5 p.m. ET on January 23. So, although he announced he was signing with the Dodgers, Sasaki won’t have to put pen to paper until next Thursday.
The Marines will receive an assignment fee based on Sasaki’s signing bonus. Since he signed a minor league contract, the fee will be 25 percent of his bonus, or $1.625 million of the $6.5 million. That’s a pittance compared to the more than $50 million billing fee the Orix Buffaloes received for Yoshinobu Yamamotowho was able to sign his $325 million contract because he was 25 and not subject to bonuses.
The Dodgers will likely employ a six-man rotation this upcoming season. Sasaki never pitched more than 129 1/3 innings in a season and he suffered a few injuries over the years. Also, Shohei Ohtani is returning from elbow surgery and has worked a six-man rotation throughout his MLB career. The club rotation looks like this:
- RHP Shohei Ohtani
- LHP Blake Snell
- RHP Tyler Glasnow
- RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- RHP Roki Sasaki
- RHP Tony Gonsolin
- RHP Dustin May
- RHP Landon Knack
- RHP Bobby Miller
- LHP Justin Wrobleski
Visibly absent: Clayton Kershaw, who said he plans to launch in 2025 and is an unsigned free agent. Kershaw turns 37 in April and missed much of last season with shoulder surgery and a toe problem. He too would benefit from a rotation of six players. The Dodgers could also consider trading May or Gonsolin, neither of whom pitched in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.
Sasaki was teammates with Ohtani and Yamamoto on the Japan team that led the field for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He is said to consider Yu Darvish a mentor, so the Padres probably had some appeal. But, ultimately, Sasaki couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play alongside Ohtani on the defending champions and projected best team in baseball in 2025.