It’s that time of the year when all the hopes and speculations will finally end. While Roki Sasaki has given enough hot topics to newsrooms, January 15 is finally here. The Japanese wonder has reportedly narrowed down to three teams for his preferred choice.
As per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the three finalized teams are the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the Toronto Blue Jays. This news comes as a big surprise since the Chicago Cubs were also in the running but were informed that Sasaki won’t be signing with them. With a deadline of January 23 fast approaching, there’s a lot of buzz as these teams fight to land one of baseball’s most promising talents.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays offer Sasaki a chance to develop alongside seasoned pitchers like Kevin Gausman and Jose Berríos. Their track record of keeping starters healthy and productive could appeal to the young right-hander.
"It's a heck of a sell to someone like Sasaki who could create his own brand, not just in the city of Toronto, but in the country of Canada."@JimBowdenGM on the #BlueJays' potential pitch for Japanese free-agent phenom Rōki Sasaki with @SNJeffBlair & Kevin Barker.#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/JY6fkem4US
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) January 13, 2025
Signing Sasaki would also boost the franchise’s visibility in the Japanese market and appeal to a fan base that’s seen little postseason success since 2016. However, the Blue Jays face stiff competition from the West Coast teams, especially as Sasaki may prefer warmer climates and organizations with recent playoff pedigree.
2. San Diego Padres
If his last call goes to the Padres, he could get a unique mix of location, legacy, and leadership at the camp. Playing in San Diego offers Sasaki the chance to thrive in a vibrant baseball city while building a legacy with a franchise still chasing its first World Series title.
The baseball world needs this
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) January 13, 2025
San Diego is waiting for you, Roki Sasaki pic.twitter.com/afxrp85UCR
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MLB stories via Google! Follow Us
His close relationship with Yu Darvish and the team’s careful approach to workload management are key selling points. That said, the Padres’ long-term competitiveness is uncertain due to financial constraints and a roster filled with lengthy contracts. Meanwhile, the Padres are doing everything they can to win him over. Still, many fans believe that the Dodgers’ star power could give them an edge.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
In the whole Roki Sasaki discussion, the Los Angeles Dodgers are at the top. With their winning culture, the Dodgers present an ideal landing spot. They’ve successfully integrated Japanese players in the past and can offer Sasaki a role in a six-man rotation. And that could sit well with his preferred pitching schedule.
The Dodgers getting their second meeting on Tuesday could mean they get the final word in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, as he has to sign within the next nine days.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) January 14, 2025
Sasaki had second meetings with the Padres and Blue Jays last week.
Now, the Dodgers will look to close the deal. pic.twitter.com/myLgMRFkH6
He would get to pitch alongside big names like Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have a strong track record of success, and that winning spirit makes them a great choice for someone like Sasaki. However, the Dodgers face some tough competition. The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are also pursuing Sasaki. This makes things pretty interesting. The Blue Jays have had some bad luck this offseason by missing out on big names.
Also Read: Roki Sasaki Rumors: Padres Could Outrun The Dodgers With Japanese Star By Trading Their Top Pitcher
