San Diego expected to sign a pair of international players to large bonuses, leaving the Dodgers and Jays in pursuit of Sasaki. Toronto added a reported $2 million in bonus pool space.
For the second time in 14 months, it is apparently down to the Dodgers and Blue Jays for the services of a Japanese star player, and things are coming to a head on a Friday. Just like the Shohei Ohtani market in December 2023, the Roki Sasaki pursuit has a few updates as we head into the weekend.
On Friday morning, Francys Romero reported that the Padres are out on Sasaki, and instead will use some of their international bonus pool to sign a pair of players.
Hearing from multiple sources that the Padres are out in Roki Sasaki.
They will begin their international signings of Jhoan De La Cruz and Carlos Alvarez in the next few hours.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 17, 2025
Will Sammon of The Athletic also reported Friday that the Padres would sign Carlos Alvarez, who was rated by Baseball America the 70th-best prospect in this international class. Romero added that Alvarez will sign for “around” $1 million.
Jhoan De La Cruz was ranked 27th by Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs, with an expected $2 million bonus. Baseball America rated De La Cruz 43rd in this class.
The Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays — the three reported finalists to sign Sasaki — had not yet had a reported international signing of over $10,000, keeping their bonus pools intact while pursuing Sasaki. But it appears now the race is down to Toronto and Los Angeles.
The Blue Jays on Friday acquired even more bonus pool space in a trade with the Guardians. Toronto acquired outrighted outfielder Myles Straw and his contract (two years, $14.75 million remaining, plus two club options for 2027-28) plus international bonus pool space for a player to be named later for cash.
Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of SportsNet reported that the Blue Jays received $2 million in bonus pool space in the deal, adding to Toronto’s existing pool of $6,261,600.
The Dodgers at the start of the international period were tied for the lowest bonus pool, at $5,146,200. Jack Harris at the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that the Dodgers were exploring potential trades to add bonus pool space, as did Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Two teams battling in plane sight for a Japanese star player. Ohtani announced his decision on a Saturday, 58 weeks ago. We don’t yet know when Sasaki might sign, but his deadline to do so is Thursday.