Star Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki plans to sign with either the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres or Toronto Blue Jays at some point over the next week or so, sources told ESPN on Monday, with a cadre of big-name teams informed in recent days they are no longer in consideration for one of the most talented pitchers in the world.
The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers were told they are out on Sasaki, sources said, leaving the two favorites from the beginning — Los Angeles and San Diego — along with a surprise entrant in Toronto.
The 23-year-old Sasaki, whose 100-mph-plus fastball and devastating split-fingered fastball made him among the best pitchers in Japan, was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in December, opening a 45-day window for him to sign. Because Sasaki is under 25, he must sign as an international amateur. The new international signing period opens Wednesday, though Sasaki is not expected to sign until perhaps closer to Jan. 23, when his posting window closes.
