The Los Angeles Dodgers have won another offseason.
Roki Sasaki, the prize gem of the pitching winter, has finally made his long-awaited MLB decision and signed to terms with the Dodgers.
Sasaki’s offseason has been unique, with his ‘unspecified homework assignment,’ foreign bonus pool limits, and now a massive offer rejected down.
Los Angeles usually offers the most money, but
Even with that offer, the Dodgers needed to make a deal to get rid of Dylan Campbell, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft with some promise. The 22-year-old cut.In 115 games at High-A last year, he hit 251/.331/.372, with 10 home runs and 53 runs batted in.
Los Angeles was at a financial disadvantage when it attempted to sign Sasaki. The decision has to be based on critical interactions with current players, the winning culture in Los Angeles, and the 23-year-old’s knowledge of his future prospects in Hollywood.
In terms of money, San Diego had the advantage.
due to international pool rules, they were only allowed to offer roughly $6 million for the right-hander.
According to The Athletic, “The Padres told Sasaki’s group that they were prepared to trade to max out their bonus pool, according to a league source, and offer the Japanese pitcher the entire sum [of their bonus pool], a little more than $10 million.”
The Toronto Blue Jays, the third of the finalists for Sasaki, also tried a similar tactic according to The Athletic. Not to the tune of $10 million, but “By Friday morning, the Blue Jays were still trying to maneuver and demonstrate their willingness to push forward, finalizing a trade with the Cleveland Guardians for $2 million in international bonus pool space.
“They did so even though the move required them to take on most of what’s left on Myles Straw’s contract, $11.8 million.”
Despite being outbid, the Dodgers acquired a superstar pitcher to add to their already stacked rotation. Sasaki went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA last season, striking out 129 batters and walking only 32 in 111 innings.
