LAD, who gave up two prospects for Sasaki, can sign a ridiculous move from the 15th if it is not certain

Jan 12, 2025

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is known to be likely to join the LA Dodgers. AP Yonhap News

The Los Angeles Dodgers are said to have completed financial preparations to recruit Japanese pitcher Loki Sasaki. It canceled contracts already agreed with international amateur prospects and sent them back to the market.

Journalist Francis Romero, a member of the BBWAA (National Baseball Journalists Association), said on the 12th (Korea time)Juss sent 2 prospects back to market who agreed to sign as highest signings bonus in 2024-2025 international contract periodShortstop Darrell Morell from the Dominican Republic and outfielder Orlando Patigno from Venezuela. They said they decided to receive $1.1 million and $400,000, respectively, which the Dodgers reserved.

Reporter Romero then added 'By putting the two players' contracts on hold, the Dodgers will now be able to bet about $3.6 million (about 5.3 billion won) for Sasaki.

The Dodgers' 2025 international Cyning Bonus pool is about $5.146,200. Some of these will go to international amateur prospects who have already agreed to a contract last year, and the Dodgers have postponed their contracts with Morel and Patino, the highest in the Sinning Bonus, to 2026, a year later. It can be seen as a measure to increase the money to be given to Sasaki this winter.

사사키 로키. AP Yonhap News

Sasaki is an international amateur FA under the age of 25, so he can receive a down payment within the range of 'International Sinning Bonus Pool' set for each club. The contract method is not a major league, but a minor league contract. At the end of 2017, Shohei Ohtani also signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a $2.315 million Cyning Bonus.

Earlier, baseball content creator and journalist Marcos Grinfeld said 'Looks like Juss is looking forward to signing Sasaki. They shelved agreed contracts with international amateur contractors. 'We have offered contract targets in 2025 to sign in 2026' the sources said. The two players are Morell and Patigno.

However, Morrell reportedly agreed to sign a $1.7 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after hearing the offer from the Dodgers. He will receive $600,000 more than the $1.1 million Dodgers will give him.

The Dodgers are considered Sasaki's leading destination. At the end of last year, Sasaki called officials from seven clubs to LA, where the agency CAA Sports office is located, to negotiate. The Dodgers, who returned to Japan with the presentation materials they received at the time, reportedly made up their minds to some extent. Rumors are circulating that he has recently returned to LA.

사사키 로키. AP Yonhap News

Sasaki's agent Joel Wolf. AP Yonhap News

The seven clubs include the Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs, and the Texas Rangers. It covers the east, west, and central regions. Sasaki's agent Joel Wolf said last month that `Sasaki's signing with a small- and medium-sized market club would also have an advantage,' signaling that Sasaki is looking at various options.

The Dodgers' expansion of the Cyning Bonus pool is interpreted as a measure to win Sasaki's heart at all. In this regard, the fan media "Fanside" is ' on this dayThe Juss club said Sasaki actually increased the amount of money he would spend in case he wanted to sign them.

The international contract period for 2025 is from January 15 to December 15. The deadline for Sasaki's posting negotiations is January 24. In other words, Sasaki's future will be decided between the 15th and the 24th.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.