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 ...

Since winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves have struggled to get back to the top of the sport. They've made the playoffs in the past three seasons but haven't made it past the division series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers cemented their status as Major League Baseball's new "Evil Empire" this offseason with a raft of acquisitions that position the team as favorites to repeat as World Series champions.

Ohtani once eschewed the Dodgers for the Angels, and got stuck in a six-year playoff drought. The Dodgers’ new Japanese rookie phenom Sasaki made a different call.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won their eighth World Series title in franchise history and their second in the past five seasons. While their roster is already filled with talent from their lineup to their pitching staff,

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.