Roki Sasaki Makes Choice, Ending Free Agency Suspense: Report
2 days ago
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Star pitcher Roki Sasaki ended the suspense of the most intriguing free agency of the offseason.
According to a post on the 23-year-old pitcher’s Instagram account Friday, he is signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Sasaki wrote in Japanese, “but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career.”
Most major league teams submitted a presentation to Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent, in hopes of signing the pitcher after he was posted by the NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines in December. Less than half of those teams were granted in-person meetings.
More news: Dodgers Explore Trade Talks as Roki Sasaki’s Deadline Draws Closer: Report
In January, only three teams were granted a second meeting with Sasaki in their home cities: the Padres, Dodgers, and Blue Jays.
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 20: Roki Sasaki #14 of Team Japan in action during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game against Team Mexico at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. MIAMI, FL – MARCH 20: Roki Sasaki #14 of Team Japan in action during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game against Team Mexico at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images
Francys Romero reported early Friday that the Padres were out; San Diego subsequently pivoted to signing Carlos Alvarez, a left-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, draining from the same international bonus money allotment from which teams can pay Sasaki his signing bonus.
More news: Blue Jays Make Trade to Help Sign Roki Sasaki
That left the Dodgers and Blue Jays as the two finalists to sign Sasaki with one week left in his 45-day window to negotiate a major league contract.
Once he’s passed his physical, the Japanese right-hander will sign a minor league contract. He will likely earn the major league minimum salary (in addition to his signing bonus) if and when he is promoted to the majors. Sasaki’s deadline to sign is next Thursday.
More news: Roki Sasaki Reportedly Eliminates One Finalist, Free Agency Suspense to End Soon?
Once he’s passed his physical, the Japanese right-hander will sign a minor league contract. He will likely earn the major league minimum salary (in addition to his signing bonus) if and when he is promoted to the majors. Sasaki’s deadline to negotiate with major league teams is next Thursday.
Last season, Sasaki went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts for Chiba Lotte, with 129 strikeouts in 111 innings.
More news: Dodgers Pitcher Reveals Details of His Recruiting Call With Roki Sasaki
By leaving Japan at age 23, Sasaki is foregoing the opportunity to sign the kind of nine-figure contract countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto got two years ago from the Dodgers. Yamamoto’s $325 million, 12-year contract set an all-time record for any pitcher.
The Blue Jays acquired $2 million in international signing money in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians Friday, bringing their maximum bonus outlay to $8.26 million. The Dodgers’ bonus pool stood at $5.15 million.
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