Padres Appear to Be Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes Leaving Dodgers, Blue Jays: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers have liked their chances in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes from the start and now they appear to be inching closer to signing the prized free agent of the offseason.
According to a report from Francys Romero of Beisbol FR, the San Diego Padres have been eliminated from consideration leaving the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays as the final two teams.
“Hearing from multiple sources that the Padres are out in Roki Sasaki,” Romero reported.
Romero added the Padres will begin using their international bonus pool allotment on free agents Jhoan De La Cruz and Carlos Alvarez in the next few hours.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network cited Romero’s report Friday morning on Hot Stove saying the Padres have not made an official statement but the report was telling because the Padres are preparing to sign some of their international prospects.
“Other moves they are making would preclude them from signing Sasaki under the same international signing bonus cap,” Morosi said. “Assuming this is the way it actually unfolds that it would leave the Dodgers and the Blue Jays as the two remaining suitors for Roki Sasaki.”
Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain provided more insight on the Sasaki sweepstakes in a recent episode of Dodgers Dougout Live.
“What I’ve heard on Roki Sasaki so far is Yoshinobu Yamamoto is playing an important role in whether the Dodgers land him,” McKain said. “Los Angeles has been operating with the confidence that they will sign Sasaki.”
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto embracing Roki Sasaki is going to have a major impact,” McKain added. “Shohei transitioned to The Show seven years ago, Yamamoto did it last year.”
If the Dodgers do land Sasaki, it was stengthen their hold on the National League West. They would also be a favorite to win another World Series title adding Sasaki to a starting rotation that would also include Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and other.
More Roki Sasaki News:
When Will Roki Sasaki Sign With Dodgers, Padres, or Blue Jays? Everything We Know on His Timeline
Dodgers Rumors: Surprise Team Confident in Their Chances in Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes
Dodgers Discussing Multiple Trades to Add International Bonus Pool Money for Roki Sasaki: Report
Dodgers ‘Optimistic’ About Their Chances to Sign Roki Sasaki: Report
MLB Analyst Says There’s a ‘0 Percent Chance’ Dodgers Don’t Sign Roki Sasaki
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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