Dodgers Ruin Baseball Again, Sign Star Free Agent Roki Sasaki

The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again, with star free agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki announcing on Friday afternoon that he'd chosen to join the best team in baseball. 

Sasaki made the announcement himself, posting on his Instagram that he'd signed a minor league contract with Los Angeles, after weeks of speculation as to where he'd ultimately sign. 

Per Instagram's translation, the caption reads: "I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career.
I want to slip my sleeve on the Dodgers uniform at the opening conference, thanking everyone who has supported me this far."

Earlier Friday morning, it was reported that the San Diego Padres had been eliminated. But the Toronto Blue Jays traded for international bonus pool money from the Cleveland Guardians, sparking speculation that they were confident in landing Sasaki. Ultimately, though, the 23-year-old star starting pitcher followed his countrymates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Los Angeles.

MIAMI - Roki Sasaki of Team Japan pitches in the first inning against Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

The reaction to Sasaki's announcement among fans of the other 29 teams has been one of frustration and disappointment, with the usual comments by uneducated fans that the Dodgers are "ruining baseball."

Except Sasaki's signing had nothing to do with money, because the Dodgers were limited by their available international bonus pool money for the 2025 class. And that available pool was literally the lowest of any team in baseball. 

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