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Dodgers, Padres Looking Into Trading For International Bonus Pool Funds

By Mark Polishuk | January 15, 2025 at 10:10pm CDT

10:10PM: The Padres are also looking to trade for more int’l signing pool space, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand writes (multiple links).  More teams than just the Sasaki suitors are also exploring such trades, as an executive tells Feinsand that “other teams are recognizing opportunities” to be aggressive in the international market.

9:07PM: The 23-year-old Roki Sasaki is considered an international free agent due to his age, as league rules dictate, and thus his impending arrival to the big leagues has brought extra attention to the int’l free agent acquisition process, which officially began today with the opening of the signing window.  The race to sign Sasaki isn’t technically a bidding war since the money on offer is limited by the bonus pool structure, and Sasaki’s willingness to make the jump to the majors so early in his career indicates that salary isn’t his chief priority.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean the three teams reportedly remaining in the hunt for Sasaki won’t try to add a few extra dollars to their offers.  Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers have engaged multiple teams in “exploratory” discussions about trading for extra money from their bonus pools, though there doesn’t appear to be any indication that any deals are close.

Clubs are permitted to trade from their bonus pools in increments of $250K, and teams are allowed to add to their pre-existing pools by as much as 60 percent of their original number.  The Dodgers’ 2025 pool was reduced by $1MM due to their signing of Shohei Ohtani last winter, as Ohtani rejected the Angels’ qualifying offer and the Dodgers were a luxury-tax paying team in 2023, which left Los Angeles with $5,146,200 to work with for this year’s international class.

This amount is tied with the Giants for the lowest pool of any team.  The Blue Jays and Padres (the other Sasaki finalists) have a pool size of $6,261,600, giving them a bit extra to work with in terms of paying Sasaki, or spending on other int’l talents should Sasaki sign elsewhere.  Should all three teams trade for the maximum amount of extra pool space, the Dodgers would have approximately $8,223,920 to offer Sasaki, while Toronto and San Diego could offer him $10,018,560.

As noted earlier, Sasaki likely isn’t going to base his decision on what will ultimately end up being pretty similar offers from his three suitors.  This could be why the Dodgers are apparently not yet pushing too hard to add to their pool space, as Sasaki might end up signing elsewhere anyway.  Harris also notes that for the Dodgers (and presumably the Padres and Blue Jays), there’s a lack of leverage in such trade talks, as rival teams know full well that int’l bonus money is of particular importance as the clock ticks down towards January 23 and the close of Sasaki’s posting window.

International pool space is usually not considered a hugely valuable trade asset in general, though naturally teams trying to amass extra money to complete a signing may think otherwise.  Earlier today, we saw the Giants acquire extra pool money in a pair of trades, as Blake Sabol was sent to the Red Sox and Will Kempner was dealt to the Marlins.  These additional funds helped San Francisco boost its $5,146,200 figure, and probably helped the team land its top signing — highly-touted Dominican shortstop prospect Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez, who got a bonus of $2,997,500.

The other wrinkle on the trade front is that teams with bonus space to spare might want to keep that money themselves for more signings, rather than deal it away.  The team that lands Sasaki will have to walk away from its pre-existing handshake agreements with most or all members of its 2025 international signing class, so several other interesting prospects could soon be entering the market.  Even the possibility that these unofficial agreements might not be honored has cost the Dodgers at least three prospects already, so the two teams who don’t sign Sasaki might both miss out on the pitcher and have to deal with a reduced group of int’l prospects if some of the players leave in advance.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Roki Sasaki

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163 Comments

  1. mlbnyyfan

    5 months ago

    Why would any team help Dodgers get more money to sign a free agent??

    34
    Reply
    • Joemo

      5 months ago

      Because most teams are ran like a business, where they care about making the most money not preventing the Dodgers from winning a world series.

      50
      Reply
      • Seattle Blues

        5 months ago

        i.e The Seattle Mariners.

        Sell the team Stanton

        3
        Reply
        • NYMets4Life

          5 months ago

          Use e.g. It is proper for how you use it.

          1
          Reply
        • Seattle Blues

          5 months ago

          Noted. Thanks man.

          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          5 months ago

          Only because I like the occasional grammar lesson:

          I.e. stands for the Latin id est, or ‘that is,’

          E.g. means “for example.” (It stands for exempli gratia in Latin.)

          9
          Reply
        • jopeness

          5 months ago

          check out the brain on Brad!

          kudos JoeBrady!

          Reply
    • Jbigz12

      5 months ago

      I’d give up a lot of bonus money for Jackson Ferris or River Ryan.

      10
      Reply
      • camdenyards46

        5 months ago

        Doubt they deal either for intl bonus pool money

        7
        Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        5 months ago

        I doubt Ferris will be available but Ryan, Miller, Sheehan, Wrobleski and Outman, maybe

        1
        Reply
        • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

          5 months ago

          Maybe miller

          3
          Reply
        • Dodger Dog

          5 months ago

          I think the giants set the market today on the level of prospect that will trade hands in this sort of transaction.

          5
          Reply
        • brocnessmonster

          5 months ago

          Right, typically top prospects value is in the millions. I think Eno said on a pod the other day a top draft pick carries a perceived value of ~$10MM.

          Nobody is getting a top-100 pitching prospect for $500k of international pool money.

          3
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          5 months ago

          Not unless it makes a difference on whether the Dodgers or Padres get Roki. I can’t include Toronto with a straight face.

          10
          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          5 months ago

          Ferris won’t be traded for intl money unless there’s something else coming back with that.

          1
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          5 months ago

          Its not a perceived value, its an actual value.

          The #1 pick in the draft had a $10,570,600 value in 2024.
          #2 $9,785,000 #3 $9,070,800

          Down to $2,971,300 at #30

          1
          Reply
        • deweybelongsinthehall

          5 months ago

          It doesn’t have to solely be a trade for bonus pool money. Other players and/or prospects could be included.

          3
          Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      5 months ago

      Mlbnyyfan

      The idea is to get the Dodgers to trade a prospect worth acquiring in return for the increase in international spending – that would be a win-win for a team already out of Sasaki sweepstakes

      18
      Reply
      • Diggydugler

        5 months ago

        Like the Jays! get it done Atkins.

        1
        Reply
    • darinc

      5 months ago

      If the Dodgers are willing to give up prospects that are closer to being major league players I would trade as much money as possible. These 16 year old kids may never pan out and you could get a prospect that’s in AA right now. Sign me up.

      The Dodgers don’t need any money anyways. They are just trying to make it look good. They will give him a huge extension in 2-3 years.

      2
      Reply
    • Niekro floater

      5 months ago

      Not helping Dodgers, those trading partners are getting value back, trying to help themselves by acquiring some young controllable Dodger talent. Can be shrewd cause u know LA really wants that extra bonus pool money. Could be Pages or Outman on way out of town. They have surplus of young pitching n Dodgers have 6 players in new top 100 list. They got bullets.

      4
      Reply
      • ThatsIT?

        5 months ago

        Why are casuals like you talking about the dodgers giving up top 100 guys for bonus money lol. It’s starling how little fans know about the value of these players. It’s no wonder they’re trade proposals are brutal and get upset at the actual return of big league talent.

        3
        Reply
        • Mets Era Thumping Soto

          5 months ago

          Because everyone knows the Dodgers really want it and it’s going to drive the price to get it up.

          1
          Reply
    • towinagain

      5 months ago

      Only to watch the Dodgers land Sasaki.

      Come on Padres?!

      Reply
    • KnicksFanCavsFan

      5 months ago

      @mlb

      If they’re out of the Sasaki derby, then they might wish to get some other assets that could help them instead ?

      Reply
    • TheGr8One

      5 months ago

      That’s a silly question really if you’re not in on Roki why would you care how much the dodgers get? So much Dodgers hate for playing chess while everyone else plays checkers.

      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 months ago

      Why would any team help Dodgers
      =================
      A couple of reasons.

      1-It makes very little difference to me if LA or SD get Roki, and both of them are preferred over TO (as a RS fan).

      2-Now that many of the major international signings are done, the question is whether you should spend your remaining $1M on various $300k, for example), or whether you’d be better off trading that $1M an established prospect.

      3-And just remember, the LAD prospects also have a $-sign attached to them. Just for example, Chase Harlan cost them $1.47M to sign last year. Theoretically, if you trade $1M in international $$$ for Harlan, you have theoretically picked up $740k in prospect value.

      That said, does anyone know of any articles comparing the int’l signings with the US draft?

      Reply
    • VegasSDfan

      5 months ago

      This means it is down to one or the other. The Padres stadium is nicer, and the city is nicer. The Dodgers have a better team, which he will get lost in that roster.

      Reply
  2. El Niño

    5 months ago

    So the doyers can sign the international players committed to the padres when Sasaki signs with them.

    4
    Reply
    • Niekro floater

      5 months ago

      Could swoop in n vulture Pads ’25 international class plus I believe if LA loses out on Roki they have a big splash plan B for another solid starter, a trade, re-sign Flaherty or someother FA. If Toronto gets him not only do Pads lose Roki, in short order probably dealing Cease, Suarez, n filling lf need internally. Pads need this to have their domino’s start falling in the right direction n spend a lil money to help compete.

      Reply
      • Rexhudler86

        5 months ago

        @niekro. I think the reason cease has been floated is for international money. Instead of 3 players probably just 2 with money. Just saying cease makes sense because he has the biggest contract, and the padres could resign profar on a one deal.

        Reply
      • VegasSDfan

        5 months ago

        He isnt going to Toronto, name a reason why he would over the Padres or Dodgers..

        Reply
  3. Flanster

    5 months ago

    What do we ALL suppose that means?

    2
    Reply
    • VermonsterSD

      5 months ago

      Nothing actually because the padres and blue jays are probably doing the same.

      6
      Reply
      • MLB Top 100 Commenter

        5 months ago

        Verm

        Concur

        3
        Reply
      • Butter Biscuits

        5 months ago

        Padres have nothing good to trade

        2
        Reply
        • Gwynning

          5 months ago

          What happened to the guaranteed, backroom, under-the-table handshake deal you promised on the 15th, Butters? Getting scared yet?

          9
          Reply
        • MLB Top 100 Commenter

          5 months ago

          I sure would not guarantee that. But if this was college sports, there would be a car dealer alumni booster at the meeting with a bag o’ money and keys to a pretty sports car. Do I think the Dodgers or Padres would do that. Probably not. Padres have to stray in the straight and narrow because one family member might eat out an opposing faction. Dodgers also have a lot at stake if it gets out. But if Kershaw can pitch Hankook tires, Roki can be the new spokesperson for the car dealer or even manufacturer.

          1
          Reply
        • DonOsbourne

          5 months ago

          I’m sure you meant one thing and said another.

          1
          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          5 months ago

          Do I think the Dodgers or Padres would do that.
          ==========================
          The car dealer could do that on their own. It would still have to make business sense, but if I were a LAD fan, I wouldn’t mind contacting Sasaki’s agent with an offer “if he were to sign with the LAD”.

          It might even make sense to be the first one knocking on his door.

          Reply
        • Rexhudler86

          5 months ago

          @gwynning.
          Is that the smell of burnt biscuits or collusion?

          1
          Reply
        • Gwynning

          5 months ago

          Both Huddy, both.

          😉

          1
          Reply
  4. drew ford

    5 months ago

    We all know he’s going to the Dodgers

    10
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 months ago

      Still not a given. If that were the case, the Dodgers would not be scrambling to trade for more bonus bucks.

      11
      Reply
      • Wire to wire 2024

        5 months ago

        Agree that its not a given but couldn’t they want more money just to sign others before/after sasaki?

        9
        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          5 months ago

          Fair point. But we’ll only know if Roki signs with the Dodgers and the amount he receives. Then one needs to evaluate whether the prospects given up for more money are better or worse than any new int’l signees. Lots of moving parts here.

          4
          Reply
      • JoeBrady

        5 months ago

        It would make sense if his agent asked them to throw in another $4M to seal the deal.

        Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      5 months ago

      Wasn’t that supposed to happen totally for sure on January 15 because it was like totally for sure a complete under the table handshake no doubt deal and they were just waiting on the calendar?

      2
      Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        5 months ago

        Lol. I’m enjoying Wolfe’s process even though the Yankees are out. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be addressed during the next CBA meetings and changes will be made so this frenzy doesn’t happen again. Wolfe played the media, and by extension the fans, like a fiddle.

        3
        Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          5 months ago

          I don’t know that I see any problems, beyond fans falling all over themselves speculating on Sasaki’s decision. For certain whatever the perceived problems with the system, they can’t be addressed in the CBA — at least, not alone. The posting process is a creation of MLB and the foreign leagues. They have the system they negotiated.

          1
          Reply
        • foppert3

          5 months ago

          I think MLB want frenzy. They are competing with your other sports for frenzy.

          Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          5 months ago

          Well, baseball is in the entertainment business. But I believe fans who get all lathered up about who signs where and why aren’t doing themselves any favors. At some point they might be better off giving up baseball and following the Kardashians instead.

          Reply
  5. SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs

    5 months ago

    Sasaki said he’s signing with the Blue Jays but wants more money Bob Nightingale said so

    3
    Reply
    • coloredpaper

      5 months ago

      Is Nightingale the same one who had reported that Ohtani was on a plane headed to Toronto? Bc if he was… lol

      6
      Reply
      • Cincyfan85

        5 months ago

        I saw a report that he’s headed to Toronto from San Diego on a Greyhound bus. I think we’ll find out who he’s signing with in about 12 days.

        7
        Reply
      • paddyo furnichuh

        5 months ago

        @color….Indeed he was, hence the facetious comment from sweetbabyray.

        Reply
      • gravel

        5 months ago

        No. That was Jon Morosi.

        2
        Reply
        • BlueSkies_LA

          5 months ago

          Jon Morosi is on a bus to Toronto?

          2
          Reply
    • Fernando P

      5 months ago

      @Sweet – Jon Heyman says “Roku” Sasaki to the Giants.

      1
      Reply
  6. This one belongs to the Reds

    5 months ago

    To the shock of NO ONE.

    1
    Reply
  7. outinleftfield

    5 months ago

    Unless the Dodgers front office is totally incompetent, and by all appearances they are the opposite, then they have been having exploratory talks with other teams about the possibility of acquiring additional Int’l FA pool money since well before Sasaki was posted. I have to assume that they started exploring it in earnest at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

    11
    Reply
    • rondon

      5 months ago

      No doubt Toronto and San Diego have been doing the same.

      1
      Reply
  8. Rexhudler86

    5 months ago

    Everyone thought i was wrong. This article is obvious. Of course he’s going to get whatever team he chooses max pool money. That’s why they padres have floated 6 players on the block. Dodgers can hold it closer to vest because they have Miller or Ryan they could trade. I don’t know about the blue jays farm system to comment but I’m sure something could be lined up

    1
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 months ago

      @Rex While I think Wolfe/Roki probably knows which team will be selected, they’re not revealing their cards yet. I admire their tactics. In the grand scheme of Roki’s promising career trajectory, $2M is not going to be a difference-maker.

      5
      Reply
      • Rexhudler86

        5 months ago

        @ybc. Yeah they won’t reveal for a couple days. I’m just going off ohtani because that’s the only example. Why did the angels trade for 500k to put them around 2 million put them at third in international money. It was different rules at the time but dodgers and padres are at the bottom of the tiers. Acquiring 2-2.5 puts him close to skenes bonus which is fair. Any of the teams would be idiots to not do it.

        Reply
  9. momTurphy

    5 months ago

    Jon Heyman says Roku Sasaki will sign with his childhood favorite team, the Giants…

    5
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      5 months ago

      Turphy

      Roku Sasaki will strike out Arson Judge every time

      7
      Reply
    • Tig

      5 months ago

      not a chance

      1
      Reply
    • Fernando P

      5 months ago

      @momTurphy – Didn’t see it but we had the same comment.

      Reply
      • momTurphy

        5 months ago

        Great minds think alike. And ours do too!

        1
        Reply
  10. johncoltrane

    5 months ago

    This is why roki hasnt signed yet. Waiting for la deferrals to get more $. And folks said “its not about $” lol everything’s about money. Baseballs abt money. Life is abt $$$$$

    2
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      5 months ago

      Even if Roki does not care about the money, Wolfe does

      2
      Reply
    • momTurphy

      5 months ago

      The Dodgers cannot defer any money to Roki. They can offer him 8M or so at the very most.

      3
      Reply
    • TheGr8One

      5 months ago

      Deferrals have nothing to do with signing an international player like seriously do you just wake up every morning and slam your head into a door? You post like you do.

      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 months ago

      Waiting for la deferrals to get more $.
      ====================
      The most it will be is maybe $10M. No one defers $10M. I’m not even sure the CBA allows that.

      Reply
  11. bruinlife33

    5 months ago

    MLB teams: Don’t give in to these fuc$&ers

    2
    Reply
    • Never Remember

      5 months ago

      Good you aren’t allowed anywhere near a baseball team. To think a team like the As should miss out on a good prospect from the dodgers by giving up $500000 they aren’t going to spend is so stupid it hurts.

      4
      Reply
      • kylegocougs

        5 months ago

        The article pretty clearly shows teams aren’t giving up good stuff for bonus pool money, it’s mostly fringe 40-man types or relievers who can’t throw strikes

        1
        Reply
        • momTurphy

          5 months ago

          Kempner was taken in the 3rd round off of like 10 innings that season (injuries). Miami will turn him around if he stays healthy because he has great stuff.

          Reply
  12. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    5 months ago

    The Tigers should buy some Hope contract.

    Reply
    • The Saber-toothed Superfife

      5 months ago

      The Tigers should be all over it for both teams….

      Reply
  13. DonOsbourne

    5 months ago

    Come on Mo! The Dodgers have plenty of young arms to target. This is a rare situation where we have leverage on the Dodgers. Go get some young controllable pitching.

    2
    Reply
  14. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    5 months ago

    Oki Doki

    2
    Reply
  15. Shishka

    5 months ago

    Dodgers are a smart organization and I give them full credit for everything they’ve done and continue to do, but if they sign Sasaki it’ll just be depressing. Please keep that in mind, Roki!

    As a Jays fan, I’m really hoping Sasaki comes to Toronto, but my money’s actually on San Diego. And I don’t think the money will have any kind of impact on his decision.

    3
    Reply
    • coloredpaper

      5 months ago

      While I agree that signing with the Dodgers gets him closest to winning a bunch of championships… between the Padres and Blue Jays, the Padres would def be the better choice for Sasaki as they are closest to being contenders compared to the Blue Jays. Also, their proximity to Japan compared to Toronto.

      I also feel obliged to mention that tax-wise, neither of those 3 teams have a tax advantage anyway, so it would seem like team strength, location, business (sponsorship/endorsements/investment opportunities) and community would probably have an effect on Sasaki’s choice.

      5
      Reply
    • Let MLB use PEDs

      5 months ago

      Why would anyone sign with Toronto if money was similar? Blue Jays are an average team with very optimistic expectations. They’re not the same caliber as perennial contenders

      1
      Reply
      • Niekro floater

        5 months ago

        Have u ever seen a Toronto sunset ?

        Reply
  16. lambird17

    5 months ago

    If teams are only allowed to trade international bonus pool funds in increments of $250,000, the Dodgers max would be $8,146,200 while the Pads and Jays max would be $10,011,600 as $3mil and $3.75mil are the max numbers that stay under 60% increase while also being cleanly divisible by $250k

    2
    Reply
  17. YourDreamGM

    5 months ago

    Could be they already had Roki done but tried trading for $ to get their previous commitments. When they failed to do so these players signed with other teams.

    Who cares about signing bonus $? The real $ is the endorsement $ and the extension. What’s a million or two vs hundreds of millions.

    4
    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 months ago

      Excellent point! If you have a future star on the hook for $2.5M, it would make sense to honor that commitment, and in general, honor whatever commitments you have already made.

      1
      Reply
  18. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    5 months ago

    Where, pray tell, does the article talk about the Dodgers actually doing what the headline states?

    My reading comprehension is ? Where?

    Reply
    • yeasties

      5 months ago

      Paragraph 10 on the LA Times article.

      1
      Reply
  19. TAKERDBACKS

    5 months ago

    Nobody outside of the fake dodger fans give a crap

    4
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      5 months ago

      Um, what?

      Reply
  20. Let MLB use PEDs

    5 months ago

    Fans complain about a MLB needing a salary cap but LA has the lowest intl pool or offers Hye-Song less than the Angels and still gets top talent. The endorsement opportunities in big markets is starting to look like MLB contracts anyway.

    4
    Reply
    • DroppedThirdStrike

      5 months ago

      True story. Love your name

      2
      Reply
      • Let MLB use PEDs

        5 months ago

        Thanks. In respect to the godfather of anarchocapitalism

        1
        Reply
    • Fernando P

      5 months ago

      @Murray – Agree on the endorsements, but Sasaki already has millions in endorsements from what I hear.

      Hye-song actually got more from the Dodgers. It was first reported that Angels offered more but then it was reversed.

      Reply
  21. BranchLilDicky

    5 months ago

    Enough with this charade. Sign with the Dodgers dammit and let’s get on with it. They can entice him with plenty of land to build.

    2
    Reply
  22. stubby66

    5 months ago

    Everyone is talking about the international money. That’s a joke. The real money is the endorsement deals that he will be getting. That is where it gets crazy out of hand. Teams have even had some of them at the sit down meetings.

    3
    Reply
    • Seattle Blues

      5 months ago

      I own a teriyaki sauce biz. I want him on my brand.

      5
      Reply
      • YankeesBleacherCreature

        5 months ago

        I’m renaming my garage brewery to Sasaki Sake.

        6
        Reply
        • goob

          5 months ago

          It’s rumored that last year’s worst team kindly offered to change their name to Sasaki Sox, if he would please, please jumpstart their rebuild.

          Reply
  23. cplwhite

    5 months ago

    Somebody please explain this to me . MLB cries they are losing TV contracts, keep raising prices on tickets and everything they sell yet they keep shelling out millions. And on top of that want cities to build and pay for their stadiums. Cities don’t pay for companies to build factories. I love baseball but I’ve had enough of the greed. Pete Rose and The Black Sox banned for gambling yet mlb promotes it for a buck.

    7
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      5 months ago

      @cplwhite — “Cities don’t pay for companies to build factories”
      _______________________
      You’re kidding, right? Has Amazon built a warehouse anywhere near you, and seen the tax breaks they got to lure them there? For ex, in 2020 Amazon built a warehouse in North Andover, MA and received more than 27M public-funding. In 2023, Morrow County (OR) ok’d over 1B in tax breaks for Amazon — with 3 officials facing ethics sanctions b/c of the deal. They wouldn’t build an Amazon warehouse a few years ago in Queens b/c they wouldn’t approve massive tax breaks. Considering many sports stadiums that do receive public-funding usually about at the 40-50%. In ATL, they received 40% public-funding to build SunTrust/Truist in Cobb Co, to which the official that ushered that in was promptly fired b/c of a lack of transparency. I’m not an expert on this, but a lot of deals run in line with how corporate America operates, which isn’t a surprise considering many are run by corporate lawyers.

      14
      Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 months ago

      @RunDMC is right. Governments providing subsidies to private enterprise is one of the biggest reason why we had a global Industrial Revolution. That’s never going to stop anywhere in the world.

      5
      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 months ago

      Sociology class let out early today?

      Cities go after other businesses all the time. Exempted property taxes are the first to go. I worked for a company in NJ and we had state development officers visit us with a list of of properties that we could have for free for relocations.

      Yonkers, NY offers freebies all the time. For them, it is a business, both ways. They approved Ridge Hill, but the builder had to build a really nice animal shelter 100 yards away.

      In NYC, someone wanted a height variance on a 59th St building, and Koch’s (?) response was ‘and I’d sure like to see a state of the art subway station underneath your building.

      This is how business is done. You want something and I want something.

      Reply
  24. BennyG1919

    5 months ago

    Hes going to the Dodgers and everyone knows it

    4
    Reply
  25. Niekro floater

    5 months ago

    Roki’s recent cpl month crash course on Americana has taught em Americans are crazy n he’s going back to Japan n be baseball God. Just a rumor…

    3
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 months ago

      “In this winter… this is very tough. I feel like it’s going to give me the best opportunity to win and to win for multiple years, and not only just to win in the regular season or just to win five games in a row or three games in a row, I want to be able to win championships. And I feel like I can compete down there. In this winter…I’m going to take my talents back to South Japan.”

      2
      Reply
      • Gwynning

        5 months ago

        – LaRoki Sabronski

        5
        Reply
  26. Salzilla

    5 months ago

    Yanks, give em a few million for Pages or Outman and call the OF done.

    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      5 months ago

      Pages is a huge ask, but Outman is the new Trayce Thompson without the warriors or mavericks tickets

      1
      Reply
    • Fernando P

      5 months ago

      @Salzilla – Would rather deal with the Padres than the Dodgers.

      1M international bonus pool money, RP Yoendrys Gomez and swingman JT Brubaker in return for RP Jeremiah Estrada & minor league RP Tyson Neighbors.

      Reply
  27. Seattle Blues

    5 months ago

    The Mariners have the most of that international moolah. I hope they trade that money for a Dodger dog, because that’s closest the M’s will ever be to sniffing a World Series.

    Go Mariners. Blah. Barf.

    7
    Reply
  28. es7129

    5 months ago

    Yankees should send the Padres $3mil IBPF plus Stroman for Arraez.

    1
    Reply
    • pando8888

      5 months ago

      I was thinking the same but don’t think they can send that much

      Reply
      • Gwynning

        5 months ago

        You can send that much, just don’t see it happening.

        Reply
        • Longtimecoming

          5 months ago

          Stro and 10 mil (3 in IBPF) for Arráez.

          I think I pull that trigger if I’m AJ if I thought getting to 10 mil made a difference in getting Roki
          Put Roki at 4 and Stro at 5.

          Sign Profar and just roll with Campy and Sullivan, Tirso, Eguy and Lockridge – interchange a Milb if you like.

          1
          Reply
        • Simm

          5 months ago

          If they sent 7+3 that would lower the aav of stroman to 11m. The padres would be saving 3m. The other issues is stroman may cost another 18m in 2026. Which I’m sure the padres want no part of.

          So I don’t see the padres doing this deal. They can find the money another way if they actually need more pool money.

          Also neither team is actually going to trade for pool money without Roki already agreeing to sign with them. That’s why all this is exploratory. They can lineup some deals for pool money then pull the trigger if Roki picks them. That could mean the padres are telling Roki we will give you 10m and the dodgers are telling them we can give you 8m. That’s of course if they lined up deals to get the needed money.

          1
          Reply
    • pando8888

      5 months ago

      Plus they would not need anymore pitching

      Reply
    • Rsox

      5 months ago

      They’d have to send a lot more money than that to get the Padres to take Stroman…

      2
      Reply
  29. Ezpkns34

    5 months ago

    If I were a GM, I’d offer deferred international bonus pool payments to LA

    Reply
  30. jaysfansince1977

    5 months ago

    Interesting that only 2 of the 3 teams are doing this. Does this mean they are worried the Jays have him and hope to out pay the Jays???

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 months ago

      At this juncture, I think the Jays may be “interested” in trading for more bonus bucks. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I’m rooting for you guys out of the three!)

      4
      Reply
  31. HalosHeavenJJ

    5 months ago

    This is going to be so brutal for Padres fans.

    (I’m of the widely held opinion this was decided before it really started).

    3
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      5 months ago

      halos

      Not to be mean, but it can’t be any more brutal for Padres fans than it is to be a fan of Arte Moreno’s team on a regular day

      4
      Reply
      • HalosHeavenJJ

        5 months ago

        Oh no. It sucks on team Arte right now.

        I just mean this particular letdown will be brutal. As a guy who just watched Ohtani leave then fulfill his every dream there, I’m sympathetic.

        5
        Reply
        • Gwynning

          5 months ago

          It ain’t over til it’s over, and it ain’t over!

          5
          Reply
        • Longtimecoming

          5 months ago

          I don’t even see a fat lady much less hear one singing!

          2
          Reply
        • Simm

          5 months ago

          It would be brutal but I don’t think Roki had already decided. There would be no need for the dog and pony show otherwise.

          All this sounds like the teams are trying to add an incentive for him to select them. Push him over the edge which may not even mean anything to him who knows.

          Reply
  32. bluepelotas

    5 months ago

    Just a show, that’s all..

    1
    Reply
  33. Citizen1

    5 months ago

    Well well well. Down to two. Top major league ready prospects only. Like asking another team to pay ohtani at his prime salary.

    Reply
  34. GangGreen23

    5 months ago

    Jake Gelof would look nice in Green & Gold playing alongside his brother Zack Gelof.

    Hey Dodgers, A’s got your $250k for Jake Gelof …….

    Reply
  35. OnlineFeatures

    5 months ago

    Actually so pathetic if he goes to the Dodgers.

    2
    Reply
    • Niekro floater

      5 months ago

      If his choice is LAD, its not fair but it’s by the rules, it would be an embarrassment of riches for 1 organization to have so much good fortune. But as lifelong Dodger fan who grew-up 10mins from Chavez Ravine, on top of dramatic WS victory, adding Snell, re-signing Teo n Treinian, it would be an LA fans wet dream if Roki picks city of angels. Will be MAD haters taking to the streets but it puts astronomical pressure on them to win it all. There is no 2nd place. Lived the not so positive ’90s w/some lean teams, so paid some bad, ugly baseball dues, yearning for .500 team. Now is hightide for bleeding blue. 1 more turn of goodluck.

      2
      Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        5 months ago

        You are right remind everybody of a time, not long ago or in a galaxy far away, when the Dodgers sucked. The end of the O’Malley ownership years were not very pretty, and then were followed by the clueless Fox ownership, and bankruptcy under the McCourts. Even with the vast improvement under the Guggenheim ownership we had to watch a lot of painfully early postseason exits. If you’re going to sneer at anyone, do it to the fans who ran out and bought their Dodger caps when the team became a powerhouse, not a longtime Dodger fans. We have paid our dues.

        Reply
        • foppert3

          5 months ago

          This. Dodgers were a mess not all that long ago. What they have achieved in a relatively short period deserves to be appreciated and their fans deserve to enjoy the spoils. It’s a good story.

          Reply
        • Citizen1

          5 months ago

          Dodgers made the playoffs under mattingly and tail end of the McCorts era. Again signed every international notable free agent but no ws.

          Reply
  36. Mickey Solis

    5 months ago

    This is sick. Teams will help the Dodgers because at this point the Dodgers have shoved their wallet so far down everyone’s throat that baseball is ruined and they’ll win the next four or five World Series and their fans will defend their “honor” and say everyone else their team could be doing it too but they should be out helping their community instead of defending their scumbag team.

    1
    Reply
    • Kash Considerations

      5 months ago

      Calm down, Karen. Everybody is tied for first place right now.

      3
      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 months ago

      RS had to put up with 50 years of the Evil Empire.

      Reply
  37. Echopark

    5 months ago

    Just make a decision. You’re holding up three teams. If you don’t know now, you ain’t gonna.

    1
    Reply
    • Niekro floater

      5 months ago

      Roki n his agency are being lil disrespectful to the 2nd n 3rd place finishers. These teams are intimately invested in this winner take all horse n pony show. Stopping normal mlb business from being conducted, making these 3 options sit idle on their hands, while all there evaluation n scouting efforts of international prospects slips away w/other organizations booted from Roki-club stealing your players you had agreements with. For real, u still don’t know, so everyone must suffer for your hesitation ? Just kinda di#k move. Turning into hostage negotiation.

      Reply
  38. Zippy the Pinhead

    5 months ago

    I heard that the Mariners have offered Haniger and the highest remaining amount of international pool money for Vlad, Muncy, or Suarez and Cronenworth. Whoever says yes first gets the deal. However, it might just be a rumor.

    1
    Reply
  39. outinleftfield

    5 months ago

    The question people should be asking is which teams actually have international free agent pool left?

    1
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      5 months ago

      Good point!

      1
      Reply
    • GeronimoSon

      5 months ago

      Perhaps more than that.. In addition to the Intl FA Bonus Pool (IFAPBP) funds.. what can a club “add” that is of interest to the Rocki Sasaki Winner for their own team.. Just add “something” is too vague..

      Example.. the Dodgers have addressed their middle infield by moving Mookie and acquiring Kim.. The Dodgers have several OF’er.. excellent catching but need a hot corner stalwart and a high leverage reliever..

      Q: What team has a couple million of uncommitted IFPBP and can spare a potential closer or a corner IF’er?

      A: Cleveland or Tampa?.. Are there others?

      Reply
  40. taran7

    5 months ago

    “Hey, we’re doing it too!” said the pouty little brother, wiping the snot from his nose with his brown sleeve.

    1
    Reply
  41. Rsox

    5 months ago

    Dodgers are offering Chris Taylor for IBPF but the only offer they got was for an expired coupon to IHoP…

    2
    Reply
  42. Niekro floater

    5 months ago

    If there ever was a Dodger organization-Roki handshake deal in place, Sasaki n his agent Wolfe deserve academy awards for acting as though 1 didn’t exist n draging process out. Plus a month-long saturation bombing of his brand n who he is to American public has been hugely successful @introducing him to US market n opening big endorsement deal potential since there’s cap on his initial mlb contract.

    2
    Reply
  43. Joe It All

    5 months ago

    I guarantee that at least half of the people complaining about him becoming a Dodger actually want him to go there just so they can use it as fuel to complain more about how unfair baseball is.

    1
    Reply
    • goob

      5 months ago

      Already mountains of fuel for that. No more required.

      Reply
  44. TheGr8One

    5 months ago

    No one is going to the Jays. Everyone is “meeting” with the Jays and they land no one. Jays fans have to hate they are the organization players use to drive up the price.

    Reply
  45. please disperse

    5 months ago

    The Dodgers can’t just defer the salary? Haha

    1
    Reply
  46. Simm

    5 months ago

    I have a question about the pool money.

    Let’s say a team trades for 3m in pool money. Is that money actually paid by the team trading it or is it just the rights to spend that money?

    1
    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      5 months ago

      The right to spend the money is traded.

      2
      Reply
  47. bumpy93

    5 months ago

    just give him to the dodgers already! He was accused of having a secret agreement with the dodgers before even being posted. His agent said how dare ppl say that… then what do you know, he’s close to going to the dodgers.

    Reply
  48. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    5 months ago

    Am I just hallucinating? Or is the Dodger farm totally stacked too?

    Or…..
    Am I hallucinating AND the Dodgers farm is totally stacked?

    Reply
  49. angels fan for life

    5 months ago

    I wouldn’t trade with them unless they trade 4 for 1

    1
    Reply
  50. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    5 months ago

    Roki
    On his way to, “Go See Cal”!

    Cal Worthington has sealed the deal!

    Reply
  51. leftcoaster

    5 months ago

    Signing with the Pads or Jays would signify Sasaki is too stupid to be a Dodger.

    Reply
  52. آلي مكبيل_.._.بيتزا بيبيروني آشتون كوتشر

    5 months ago

    It would be interesting to see if the Padres get extra money and then sign all the rest of the Dodgers scouted prospects after the Dodgers sign Roki.

    Reply

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