LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move many baseball executives have long expected.

The prized righty pitcher was one of the most sought-after international free agents in recent memory and picked the Dodgers over a considerable list of other suitors.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on an unprecedented stretch that dates back to last offseason when they signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu ... tied with the San Francisco Giants for the lowest ...

The Giants have just $5.146 million in bonus pool money, tied for the lowest of any team. They can give all of that to Sasaki if they wish. San Francisco also has one other way to raise more money. MLB rules allow teams to trade for up to 60% of their bonus pool money. So, the Giants could push it to close to $8 million.

Roki Sasaki speaks out on choosing the Los Angeles Dodgers and teaming up with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Giants made an in-person pitch to Sasaki in Los Angeles but were told he's narrowed his list of potential teams and they aren't on it.

A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto ... Related Articles San Francisco Giants | PayPal Park to ...

The San Francisco Giants have made some splashy moves this winter under first-year executive Buster Posey by bringing in Willy Adames and Justin Verlander, but

With the Giants out of the running for Sasaki, San Francisco’s rotation options include Verlander, Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp, Keaton Winn and Mason Black. It is currently unclear if the Giants would potentially roll out a six-man rotation.

NAPA — Around three o’clock on Friday afternoon, Roki Sasaki announced he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Less than 24 hours later, the San Francisco Giants hosted the first leg of their FanFest Tour in Napa to garner excitement for the coming season.

The rich got richer Friday as the Los Angeles Dodgers signed 23-year0old Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki to a minor-league contract.

Roki Sasaki joins the Dodgers, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto playing a "key" role in bringing the star Japanese pitcher to LA's stacked roster.