Roki Sasaki Joins Dodgers for $6.5M, Enhancing Rotation After 2024 World Series Win

Jan 18, 2025, 03:23 PM

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus. The Dodgers, coming off their 2024 World Series victory, have added Sasaki to their roster, enhancing their already formidable pitching rotation. Sasaki chose the Dodgers over other interested teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres, influenced by the team's reputation for player development and success. To facilitate the signing, the Dodgers increased their international bonus pool by trading minor leaguers Dylan Campbell to the Philadelphia Phillies and Arnaldo Lantigua to the Cincinnati Reds for additional funds. Sasaki's signing has sparked discussions about the Dodgers' dominance in baseball, with some critics arguing that their stacked roster could be detrimental to the sport's competitive balance.