Dodgers Lose Another International Signee as Roki Sasaki Decision Nears
The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly meeting with Japanese free agent Roki Sasaki on Tuesday — and while they await his decision, other international prospects are taking their talents elsewhere refusing to wait for Sasaki to decide their future with the organization.
The Dodgers recently proposed that their incoming 2025 class delay signing until the following year, signaling the team’s intent to pursue the Japanese phenom despite having one of the smallest international bonus pools.
More news: One Free Agent Dodgers Need to Sign Before 2025 Season Gets Underway
Instead of waiting, Venezuelan outfielder Orlando Patiño signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Patiño marks the second loss for the Dodgers’ projected 2025 international class. Darell Morel, a 6-foot-5 shortstop from the Dominican Republic, was set to sign with the Dodgers but is now expected to join the Pittsburgh Pirates for nearly $1.8 million — about twice what Los Angeles would’ve paid him.
Patiño is expected to sign for $570,000, an increase from the $400,000 he was in line to get from the Dodgers prior to Sasaki’s posting, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.
Badler’s scouting report of the outfielder states he is “6-foot-2, 203 pounds and extremely strong for his age with big right-handed power. There isn’t much physical projection left with Patiño, but he already drives the ball with impact in a swing geared to lift the ball. He’s a corner outfielder with a plus arm to fit in right field.”
Sasaki has to make his decision by Jan. 23, but until then, the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays are bound to lose more international prospects.
While the three finalists continue waiting for news of an agreement, according to Joel Wolfe — Sasaki’s agent — the decision will come down to the wire.
“The timeline for Round 2 is going to lead right up until he signs,” Wolfe said. “We’re still talking and having Zoom calls. So I don’t have a precise timeline for that, like we did for the meetings. Teams will be notified at some point if there’s going to be additional meetings or travel or something like that. But other than that, I don’t believe there’s going to be any specific timeline.”
More news: Dodgers Lose International Signee to Pirates as LA Seems to Be All In on Roki Sasaki
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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