Roki Sasaki is joining the Dodgers

Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced this evening on Instagram.

So there you go.

Toronto, one of the three finalists for pitcher Roki Sasaki, has added $2 million in extra bonus pool space

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that they have acquired outfielder Myles Straw, cash, and international bonus pool space for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Reports indicate that the deal provides Toronto with $2 million in 2025 bonus pool money.

The Jays are, along with the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, a finalist for Japanese superstar pitcher Roki Sasaki. Due to Sasaki’s age, he is subject to the international bonus pool for amateur free agents. The deal by Toronto to add $2 million in bonus pool money may be an indicator that Sasaki is headed to Toronto.

The Padres, meanwhile, are reportedly going forward with the signings of amateur pitcher Carlos Alvarez and shortstop Jhoan De La Cruz. The pair had been thought to have deals with the Padres in place already, but those deals were put on hold while the Padres pursued Sasaki. The signing of the pair, for what is expected to be a combined $2-3 million, would seem to suggest that the Padres are not expecting to sign Sasaki.

Straw is under contract for $6.4 million in 2025 and $7.4 million in 2026, with an $8 million team option for 2027 with a $1.75 million buyout and an $8.5 million team option for 2028 with a $500,000. The 30 year old only played in 7 games for the Guardians last season, and in the previous two seasons he slashed .229/.296/.284 in 1114 plate appearances, though he did win a Gold Glove in center field in 2022 and had a 2.7 bWAR. The Guardians outrighted Straw after the 2024 season, and he is no longer on the 40 man roster, so this is essentially the Jays taking Straw and his $15.55 million in outstanding contract obligation, along with whatever subsidy the Jays are sending, for extra pool space.