With ownership turmoil and no offseason additions, the Padres must figure out how to contend without the Japanese phenom they coveted.

Along with Blake Snell – signed to a five-year, $182 million contract in December. And Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was posted one year ago after seven dominant seasons in Japan, signed a $325 million contract – and was the starting pitcher for four of the Dodgers’ 11 postseason wins.

Blue Jays reporter Scott Mitchell of TSN appeared on Toronto’s morning show “First Up” on Wednesday. There, he revealed a close connection between Sasaki and the Blue Jays that should send tremors down the Yankees ’ spine. It begins with a member of Toronto’s front office staff, Frank Hermann, who was a former major league pitcher.

Right-hander Roki Sasaki, the covered Japanese free agent, has whittled down a list of suitors to two finalists, according to a report by veteran MLB reporter Francys Romero.

The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are rounding third base. The Japanese phenom has reportedly narrowed down his list of teams to three -- the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays, according to an ESPN report -- and will be making his decision in the coming days,

Japanese ace Roki Sasaki is nearing a decision on where he'll play in 2025. Has he trimmed his potential suitors from three to two in recent days?

The New York Mets have made some changes to their starting rotation this winter, but they may not be done making moves. They are out of the running for Rōki Sasaki but could look to trade for a starter.

The San Diego Padres could look to trade their ace Dylan Cease to the Toronto Blue Jays in a shocking offseason move.

So now what? Roki Sasaki was the Padres' Plan A this winter. They hoped desperately to woo the ace Japanese right-hander as an anchor of their starting rotation for years to come. They made that much known from the moment he was posted last month.

With just two days before the window to sign him opens, the field for star Japanese right-hander Rōki Sasaki has narrowed.

Rōki Sasaki is a highly talented Japanese pitcher, known for his blazing fastball and devastating slider. He gained major attention in 2022 after throwing a perfect game with 19 strikeouts. Sasaki is regarded as one of Japan's top pitching prospects and has attracted MLB interest.