Padres lead Dodgers in Roki Sasaki recruit-athon

At 23 years old, Roki Sasaki finds himself shackled by the red tape of MLB’s international bonus pool rules.

Here’s the skinny, folks: Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old flamethrower from Japan, is the talk of baseball’s hot stove. But let’s not kid ourselves—landing Sasaki is no cakewalk, thanks to MLB’s international bonus pool rules.

Unless you’re 25 and a grizzled pro with six years in a recognized league, you’re not cashing in without restrictions. That’s where Sasaki finds himself, bound by these limitations, with the baseball world circling like sharks.

Now, don’t hold your breath for fireworks just yet. Sasaki won’t ink a deal until the international signing period kicks off on January 15, 2025. And here’s the catch: If there’s no handshake by January 23, it’s back to Nippon Professional Baseball and the Chiba Lotte Marines for another year. No dice, no deal.

But let’s talk shop. The Padres are coming out swinging. Manager Mike Shildt isn’t just confident; he’s practically calling his shot on MLB Network Radio, declaring that the Padres are “very legitimate contenders” to land Sasaki. They’re rolling out the red carpet with what Shildt calls a “full-court press.” That’s old-school talk for “we’re not messing around.”

The Padres have their secret weapon, too: Yu Darvish, Sasaki’s countryman and potential mentor. Throw in Yuki Matsui, and former Padre Ha-Seong Kim, and a multicultural clubhouse, and San Diego starts looking like the Ellis Island of MLB. A.J. Preller, the GM, even speaks Japanese, for crying out loud.

They pulled out the stops for Ohtani years ago, and while that didn’t pan out, the groundwork was laid. Hideo Nomo’s involvement as a Padres advisor  only sweetens the pot.

But let’s not forget the big, bad Dodgers. The Boys in Blue aren’t just sitting on their hands. They’ve got their own pipeline to Japan, from Nomo to Ohtani to Yamamoto. And with manager Dave Roberts—a man with Japanese roots—at the helm, they’re not going away quietly.

MLB insiders like Jon Heyman and Francys Romero are adding fuel to the fire. Both say the Padres are the favorites, but buzz doesn’t sign contracts. Sasaki’s arm could change the balance of power on the West Coast, and you can bet both teams know it.

So here we are: Padres or Dodgers? Dodgers or Padres? Sasaki holds the cards, and until January 15, the speculation machine will keep cranking. One thing’s for sure—whoever lands Sasaki isn’t just getting a pitcher; they’re getting a franchise cornerstone. Stay tuned.