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The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- 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 San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were said to be the other finalists still in pursuit of Sasaki, who has until next Thursday to finalize a contract.
"I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers," Sasaki's post said, in Japanese. "It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best I can feel this was a correct decision, once I look back on my life as a baseball player. At my news conference for joining the club, I hope to wear my Dodgers uniform, feeling gratitude for all those who have supported me."
Los Angeles has up to $5,146,200 available in its international signing bonus pool, though the Dodgers could make trades in the next week to increase the amount by up to 60%.
The Dodgers are planning to use a six-man rotation, which could ease Sasaki's transition to Major League Baseball, as the Dodgers attempt to become the first repeat champion since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.
The Marines will get a release fee calculated at 25% of the amount of Sasaki's signing bonus.
Pirates
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired pitcher Chase Shugart from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Matt McShane.
The 28-year-old Shugart, who was designated for assignment on Jan. 15, made six relief appearances over three separate stints with the Red Sox in 2024, going 0-0 with one save, a 4.15 ERA, eight strikeouts and .242 batting average against.
He made his big league debut on Aug.15 at Baltimore and did not allow a run in four of his six outings with the Red Sox, including each of his last three appearances. The righthander was selected in the 12th round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Texas.
He was named Boston's Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2024 after going 6-2 with one save, a 4.46 ERA, 80 strikeouts in 71 innings, and .242 batting average against in 36 appearances with Triple-A Worcester.
Athletics
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Athletics agreed to terms on a $10 million, one-year contract Friday with former Texas right-hander Jose Leclerc.
The 31-year-old Leclerc went 6-5 with a 4.32 ERA and one save in 64 relief appearances for the Rangers last season. He struck out 89 batters in 66 2-3 innings and held righties to a .193 batting average.
Leclerc has spent his entire career in the majors with Texas since making his debut in 2016. He is 12-20 with a 3.27 ERA and 41 saves in 350 career appearances. He has averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings over his career.
He was limited two two games in 2020, the last on July 26, because of a torn right teres major muscle. Leclerc missed the next season following Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2021, and returned to a big league mound on June 18, 2022. He was a big part of their postseason bullpen in 2023 as LeClerc helped Texas win its first-ever World Series.
Braves
NEW YORK -- Turning their attention to the bullpen, the New York Mets have agreed with free agent left-hander A.J. Minter on a two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Multiple media outlets reported Minter would be guaranteed $22 million and could opt out of the contract following the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old Minter has spent his entire eight-year major league career with the NL East rival Atlanta Braves, going 24-29 with a 3.28 ERA and 36 saves in 384 relief appearances. He was 5-4 with a 2.62 ERA and one save in 39 games last year before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left hip in August.
Red Sox
BOSTON -- All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year contract guaranteeing $3.85 million, a deal that includes an $8 million team option for 2026.
Duran gets a $3.75 million salary for this year, and the option has a $100,000 buyout. Duran was eighth in MVP voting last year after hitting .285 with 21 homers, 75 RBIs, 34 steals, 48 doubles and 111 runs. Fifteen players remain on track for arbitration hearings.