Dodgers News: International signings, former World Series champ dies, Tanner Scott

With almost back-to-back signings of Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers proved they really can have it all.

With Sasaki, they have a proven ace that they can still mold under years of cheap club control, and with Scott, they have a bonafide closer who's pitched 150 innings for a 2.04 ERA over his last two seasons.

But that's not all, because of course it isn't. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Sasaki would take up the entirety of the Dodgers' bonus pool space, and that their international signing class in 2025 would just be one guy. However, after settling with Sasaki on a $6.5 million bonus, LA signed 16 more international prospects to round out the class, presumably with bonus pool money they traded minor leaguer Arnaldo Lantigua to the Reds for on Friday.

Panamanian lefty pitcher Adrian Torres was technically the first to sign — he received a $365,000 bonus — but Venezuelan righty pitcher Carlos Alvarez's deal was announced right on the heels of Sasaki's signing. Other intriguing newcomers include shortstop Luis Tovar, who received an extra $300,000, and pitcher Joseph Deng, the first South Sudanese player to ever sign with an MLB organization.

Dodgers News: 16 more international signings, Jeff Torborg passes away, details on Tanner Scott chase

On Jan. 19, the Dodgers mourned the passing of 1965 World Series champion Jeff Torborg at age 83. LA signed him to an amateur free agent deal in 1963, and he'd made the major league roster by the next year. He caught Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs in 1965, and Bill Singer's no-hitter against the Phillies in 1970. In 1973, his last year in the majors, he caught Nolan Ryan's first no-hitter as a member of the Angels. He retired the next year, but remained in the game as a coach and won AL Manager of the Year in 1990, when the White Sox improved by 25 games from their previous season.

More details from Scott's signing were quickly revealed after his Dodgers contract was reported. LA had also been in conversation with 2024 All-Star closer Kirby Yates, who pitched 61 2/3 innings and earned 33 games for the Rangers last year for a 1.17 ERA.

However, Scott remained LA's top priority, and he signed with the Dodgers for four years and $72 million. Yates may also still be in play, as the Dodgers are said to be in "serious talks" to make him the latest addition to LA's stockpile of talent.