Roki Sasaki Has Ruled Out Fourth Team as Dodgers Target Narrows Down Potential Suitors
Roki Sasaki is narrowing his list of suitors as his Jan. 23 deadline to sign nears.
On Monday, there were three teams who were reportedly informed they were out of the sweepstakes. Now, there’s a fourth.
Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News reports the Texas Rangers will not be signing the Japanese superstar.
That leaves the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs as teams who had a first meeting and are known to still be in the running.
The Blue Jays and Padres have had second meetings with Sasaki, as reported by The Athletic. It’s unclear if the Dodgers had a second meeting with Sasaki at this point in time.
Sasaki has been a top priority for the Dodgers all offseason long. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the Winter Meetings that the team would do whatever they could to try to lure the superstar to Los Angeles.
“He is someone that, obviously, is a major priority for us,” Friedman said. “We are going to do whatever we can and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing. … We’re gonna put our best foot forward about what we feel like we can provide short-term, long-term, with our pitching group, veteran players, and do everything we can to put our best foot forward.”
Sasaki must sign before Jan. 23, when his 45-day posting window expires. He’s expected to sign after Jan. 15, when the next international signing period begins.
Catch up with all the latest Roki Sasaki news:
Dodgers’ Major NL West Rival Out of Roki Sasaki in Massive Development
Another Major Contender Officially Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes as Dodgers Target Nears Decision
Dodgers Target Roki Sasaki Had Second Meeting With Padres and Blue Jays in Their Cities
Dodgers Lose International Signee to Pirates as LA Seems to Be All In on Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki Scouting Report: Full Breakdown of Dodgers Free Agent Target
Why Are the Dodgers the Best Landing Spot for Roki Sasaki?
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
