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.

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

Following the World Series triumph in October last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers upgraded the rotation by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell in the offseason.

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.

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.

Japanese star right-hander Roki Sasaki announced on Instagram Friday that he will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Sasaki, 23, was the most coveted international free agent of the MLB offseason. H

Japanese star Roki Sasaki is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers following a frenzied Major League Baseball battle for the coveted pitcher’s signature. The 23-year-old confirmed on Friday that he would join up with compatriots and Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a brief statement on Instagram.

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

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.

Giants officials have believed for over a year that Roki Sasaki would end up in Los Angeles. On Friday, one of the best right-handed pitching prospects in the world made it official. Sasaki announced on his personal Instagram page that he has signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers,

The SF Giants have been informed that top international prospect Roki Sasaki will not be coming to San Francisco. The news does not come as a huge shock, but it

Along with Blake Snell – signed to a five-year, $182 million contract in December. And Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was posted one year ago after seven dominant seasons in Japan, signed a $325 million contract – and was the starting pitcher for four of the Dodgers’ 11 postseason wins.