Dodgers Trade Minor Leaguer to Phillies for International Bonus Pool Space

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded minor league outfielder Kendall Campbell to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for international signing bonus pool space, the team announced Tuesday. The move is part of the Dodgers’ strategy to bolster their financial flexibility ahead of the anticipated signing of Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.

The Dodgers will reportedly receive either $750,000 or $1 million in international bonus pool allotments from the Phillies. Teams are required to trade these allotments in increments of $250,000. The Dodgers began the signing period with just $5.1462 million in their pool, tied with the San Francisco Giants for the lowest opening pool in Major League Baseball. This limited pool is a result of their status as luxury tax payors and the $1 million they surrendered to sign a player who rejected a qualifying offer last offseason.

Campbell, a 22-year-old right-handed hitter, was the Dodgers’ fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas. He spent his first full professional season at High-A Great Lakes, where he batted .251 with a .331 on-base percentage and .372 slugging percentage, including 10 home runs and 42 stolen bases. Primarily a right fielder, Campbell is known for his speed and defensive versatility.

“This trade is the first of what will likely be multiple moves by the Dodgers to increase their international bonus pool,” said a source familiar with the negotiations. Even with the $1 million addition from the Phillies, the Dodgers’ pool would rise to $6.1462 million, still short of the amount needed to finalize Sasaki’s signing. Sasaki, a highly sought-after pitcher from Japan, has until January 23 to sign with an MLB team during his 45-day posting window.

The Phillies, who were never in contention to sign Sasaki, used their unused pool space to acquire Campbell, adding depth to their farm system. “Campbell has decent upside and is only 22,” said one Phillies insider. “This is a smart move for us.”

The Dodgers’ aggressive pursuit of international talent has drawn criticism from some fans and analysts, who argue that other teams are enabling their dominance by trading bonus pool space. “No one should be trading with them and enabling their under-the-table dealing,” one fan commented. However, the Dodgers’ front office remains focused on building a championship-caliber roster.

In a separate transaction, the Dodgers also traded 19-year-old prospect Arnaldo Lantigua to the Cincinnati Reds for additional international cap space. Lantigua, who posted a .301/.430/.575 slash line in the Dominican Summer League last season, was considered one of the Dodgers’ most promising young players. “Lantigua was one of the most intriguing players set to move stateside this year,” said Bruce Kuntz of Just Baseball Media. “He’s an outfielder with big power potential.”

As the Dodgers continue to maneuver within the constraints of MLB’s international signing rules, all eyes remain on their pursuit of Roki Sasaki and their ability to finalize his contract before the January deadline.