The MLB offseason drama just got a whole lot more intriguing. Roki Sasaki, the electrifying 23-year-old phenom from Japan, is inching closer to making his highly anticipated move to Major League Baseball.
This type of storyline keeps us all refreshing our feeds—one of the most talented young pitchers in the world and only two teams left standing in the battle for his services: the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Here’s what we know. On Friday, it was reported that Sasaki has officially ruled out the San Diego Padres, narrowing his options in the final week of his 45-day negotiating window.
Padres Sign Young International Talent
Interestingly, this news dropped alongside another nugget: the Padres are finalizing a deal with Carlos Alvarez, a young lefty from the Dominican Republic.
Both players fall under MLB’s international bonus money pool rules, meaning the Padres essentially had to choose where to allocate their resources—and Sasaki didn’t make the cut.
With the Padres out of the mix, all eyes are on the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Both teams bring unique selling points to the table. The Dodgers have a reputation for developing international stars into household names (looking at you, Hideo Nomo and Kenta Maeda).
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are rapidly building a powerhouse roster capable of competing in the American League. Whoever lands Sasaki won’t just get an exciting arm—they’ll get a game-changer.
Why Sasaki is a Generational Talent
Let’s talk about what makes Sasaki so special. He’s not just a fireballer with a fastball that routinely hits 100 mph. No, this is the guy who, at age 20, threw a 19-strikeout perfect game in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
And get this—he followed that up by retiring 24 straight batters in his very next start before being pulled. Perfection like that doesn’t happen by accident.
Did we mention his performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic? He didn’t just throw gas—he dominated on a global stage.
MLB International Rules
Under MLB’s rules for international amateur free agents, Sasaki will have to start on a minor league contract, and his salary will be limited to the major league minimum once he gets called up.
But make no mistake: this kid is MLB-ready. Whichever team signs him is getting a potential ace who can make an immediate impact.
With the clock ticking, the baseball world is on high alert. Will Sasaki bring his talents to the bright lights of L.A., or will he head north of the border to Toronto? The answer could define the 2025 season—and beyond. Stay tuned. This story is just getting started.
