SAN DIEGO — With his window for a decision fast approaching, Roki Sasaki reportedly met with the Padres over the weekend as he continues to narrow his list of suitors.
The highly coveted Japanese right-hander had an in-person meeting with the club in San Diego, according to a report from The Athletic. The team did not confirm the meeting.
The Padres have long been rumored as a favorite to sign Sasaki, who has also met with other clubs, including the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Giants, Rangers and Blue Jays. According to recent reports, on Monday Sasaki narrowed his field to the Padres, Dodgers and Blue Jays — informing at least the Giants, Yankees and Mets that he will not be signing with them.
Sasaki’s free agency is a unique one, given that he will be arriving as a 23-year-old, slated to make only a rookie salary (plus international bonus pool money, which is capped for each team between $5 million and $7.5 million). Regarded as a potential ace, Sasaki would bring immediate value to whichever team signs him.
Details on Japanese posting systemt he’d like their pitch. Sasaki was posted by his former club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, at baseball’s Winter Meetings last month in Dallas. Instantly, San Diego was viewed as a favorite.
“I feel like we’re in a good spot for a multitude of reasons,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said at the Winter Meetings. “One, we’re in San Diego. We sell out our ballpark every night. We have a very competitive ballclub. And it’s a chance for him to come in and create a legacy for himself — to help win the first World Series.”
There’s an argument that no team needs Sasaki more than these Padres, who have built a contending roster, but don’t seem to have much flexibility. They’ve indicated a willingness to stay below the first luxury tax threshold. That could make a major signing or acquisition difficult to pull off. Then again, Sasaki falls largely outside those financial
There’d be no better place to start than with a 23-year-old ace arriving on a rookie deal.
