Padres Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes, Dodgers and Blue Jays Remain

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — In a surprising turn of events, the San Diego Padres have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays as the final contenders. The decision comes as the Padres shift their focus to other international signings, including Jhoan De La Cruz and Carlos Alvarez.

According to multiple sources, including MLB insider Francys Romero, the Padres are no longer pursuing Sasaki, a move that could significantly impact their 2025 season. Romero tweeted, “Hearing from multiple sources that the Padres are out in Roki Sasaki. They will begin their international signings of Jhoan De La Cruz and Carlos Alvarez in the next few hours.”

Carlos Alvarez, a left-handed pitcher, was originally committed to the Padres but explored other opportunities as teams scrambled to allocate international funds for Sasaki. Will Sammon of MLB Network reported, “Alvarez was originally committed to Padres but like some other prominent prospects, he pursued other opportunities while teams tried to figure out international budgets for Roki Sasaki.”

The Padres’ decision to bow out of the Sasaki sweepstakes is seen as a major blow to their offseason plans. The team has struggled with budget constraints, reportedly due to ongoing TV revenue issues and internal ownership disputes. These financial limitations have hindered their ability to make significant moves in free agency, leaving them with a roster that, while competitive, still has notable gaps.

With the Padres out of the picture, the Dodgers and Blue Jays are now the frontrunners to sign Sasaki. The Dodgers, in particular, are expected to aggressively pursue the 22-year-old ace, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented pitchers in Japan. The Blue Jays, however, remain a strong contender, though speculation suggests they could also be eliminated from the race soon.

As for the Padres, missing out on Sasaki could lead to a shift in strategy. Instead of making splashy acquisitions, the team may focus on modest additions or even consider trading away some assets to address their financial challenges. The coming weeks will be critical as the Padres navigate a pivotal offseason that could shape their future for years to come.