The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes could be down to two teams – and not the two teams everyone expected.
According to reports, the San Diego Padres are out as candidates to sign the Japanese star, leaving the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays among the finalists reported earlier this week.
The Padres have apparently made plans to announce the signings of some international prospects later Friday, an indication they are no longer saving their international signing bonus pool for Sasaki.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays made a trade with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday that brought them $2 million in international bonus pool money as well as outfielder Myles Straw in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The trade increases the Blue Jays’ available bonus pool money to offer Sasaki to approximately $8.2 million. The Dodgers have just $5.1 million in international bonus pool money but are also believed to be seeking trades that would allow them to increase that.
As a 23-year-old with less than six years experience in NPB, Sasaki can only sign a minor-league contract for a signing bonus from a team’s international bonus pool.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Sasaki had narrowed his choices to the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays. The Padres were considered the biggest threat to the Dodgers because of Sasaki’s close relationship with Padres right-hander Yu Darvish.
The Dodgers had an in-person meeting with Sasaki on Tuesday. It is likely that Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto – and possibly other players – were involved in the recruiting pitch to Sasaki.
The Japanese right-hander has until next Thursday to sign with a team before his posting window closes.