Roki Sasaki is continuing to evaluate options as the Jan. 23 deadline for his signing decision grows near. There are several teams said to have met with the right-hander and it is being reported the Toronto Blue Jays are the latest name added to that list.
Before heading back to Japan, Sasaki had meetings with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers last month.
The Blue Jays have now also thrown their hat in the ring as they reportedly hosted an in-person meeting with Sasaki in Toronto, according to Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough of the Athletic:
Club officials last week hosted prized Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki in Toronto, sources briefed on the meetings told The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Giants general manager Zack Minasian said they have been informed of no longer being under consideration by Sasaki, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants have been told Sasaki is not coming to SF.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 13, 2025
The Blue Jays are the first team to host Sasaki outside of Southern California, where he conducted meetings with the other seven teams.
While the Dodgers are perceived to be the team the Japanese phenom will sign with when all is said and done, there are still six others that believe they are still in the mix for Sasaki.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has said the organization will do “whatever we can” to convince Sasaki to sign with them. Regardless of Sasaki’s final decision, the Dodgers will feel satisfied knowing that they put forth their best effort.
It is not the first time in the past two free agent windows that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have competed for the same player, with Toronto being heavily involved in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.
Timeline for Roki Sasaki’s decision
Sasaki can sign as soon as Jan. 15 when the 2025 international signing period opens, but he is not expected to make his decision right away. He has until Jan. 23 to make a decision as his 45-day signing window closes.
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