Roki Sasaki recently met with Padres officials in San Diego, marking his second meeting with the team. This visit comes as multiple sources confirmed that the Cubs, Giants, Rangers, Yankees, and Mets are effectively out of the running for the 23-year-old right-hander. The Padres, however, remain optimistic, even amid speculation that the ownership turmoil within the organization could hinder their pursuit.
The countdown to Roki Sasaki’s decision is underway, and the San Diego Padres appear to be in a strong position to secure the Japanese pitching sensation for their 2025 rotation.
League insiders are increasingly viewing the Padres as the frontrunners for Sasaki, who boasts an impressive 2.02 ERA over 414⅔ innings across four seasons in Japan. His potential signing would mark a significant achievement for the Padres, following their acquisitions of top international prospects Ethan Salas in 2023 and Leo De Vries in 2024.
Sasaki’s visit to San Diego coincides with the start of the international free-agent signing period on Wednesday, during which he must finalize a deal by January 23. Due to his age and experience, Sasaki is subject to international free agency rules, including restrictions on signing bonuses.
While other teams, such as the Dodgers and Blue Jays have also been in the mix, the Padres’ extensive scouting efforts and strong positioning have made them a leading contender. Landing Sasaki would solidify their dominance in the international market, but missing out on him could leave them with few options, as many other top prospects have already committed elsewhere.
Leave a Reply