The San Diego Padres have been ruled out of the race to sign highly coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, according to multiple sources. The Padres, who were once considered strong contenders for Sasaki’s signature, have redirected their focus towards other international prospects, resulting in a shortage of funds under the international signing bonus cap.
The Padres recently committed to signing other players leaving them with insufficient financial resources to make a competitive offer for Sasaki. As a result, the pursuit of the Japanese sensation is now down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
This development has come as a surprise to many, given the Padres’ initial interest in securing Sasaki, who is regarded as one of the most talented young pitchers in the world. Sasaki, known for his blazing fastball and exceptional control, has been a standout in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and has garnered significant attention from MLB teams.
It’s down to two with one front runner
With the Padres out of the picture, the Dodgers and Blue Jays are expected to intensify their efforts to sign Sasaki. Both teams have a history of successfully integrating international talent into their rosters and have the financial flexibility to meet Sasaki’s demands.
Sasaki is expected to make his decision before the January 23 deadline, and his choice will undoubtedly have a major impact on the future of the franchise that secures his services.
As the anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting Sasaki’s next move. The Padres’ withdrawal from the race only adds to the intrigue surrounding the highly anticipated signing of this extraordinary talent.
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