Roki Sasaki News: MLB Insider Says Blue Jays ‘Real Threat’ to Sign Dodgers Target

The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the final two teams in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes.

While the San Diego Padres were also a reported finalist for Sasaki, their recent pivot to other international signings appears to signal they’re out of the Sasaki sweepstakes.

The Blue Jays are doing the exact opposite of the Padres, acquiring more money for their international bonus pool. On Friday, the Blue Jays acquired another $2 million in international bonus pool money to take on a bad contract from the Cleveland Guardians.

While the Dodgers have been the presumed favorite to land Sasaki the entire offseason, MLB insider Jon Heyman says Toronto poses a “real threat” to land the 23-year-old pitcher.

“The Jays are doing whatever they can to aid their chances at pitching phenom Roki Sasaki,” Heyman wrote on X. “They’ve gone from long shot to real threat. Not saying they are getting him but they have real shot. Sasaki clearly isn’t about money but the extra $2M in bonus $ here doesn’t hurt either.”

Sasaki must make a decision by Jan. 23, when his 45-day posting window expires. Sasaki had second meetings with all three reported finalists, the most recent being with the Dodgers earlier this week.

The Blue Jays reportedly left their second meeting with Sasaki feeling confident in their chances of landing the star pitcher.

The Dodgers, however, have also expressed confidence in their chances of landing Sasaki.

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