The Padres have reportedly been eliminated as a destination for the Japanese right-hander. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays traded for additional international bonus pool money.

The sweepstakes for 23-year-old Japanese flamethrower Roki Sasaki could be nearing its conclusion. Sasaki, whose representation said he was open to playing for all 30 teams, is now reportedly down to two franchises as he nears a decision.

The Blue Jays were announced as one of the three reported finalists for Sasaki, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

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. Sasaki eliminated the San Diego Padres and will choose between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, the report claims.

The Toronto Blue Jays haven't given up in their pursuit of Japanese star Roki Sasaki, and they opened up more international bonus pool money in a Friday trade

The San Diego Padres are out on Roki Sasaki, according to Francys Romero, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays as the two presumptive finalists to sign the 23-year-old Japanese right-hander.

San Diego is at $6,261,000. The Dodgers and Blue Jays have not signed any international amateurs and the Padres have signed only three, each for bonuses of $10,000. Only bonuses above $10,000 count against the pool. Straw has salaries of $6 million this ...

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday to acquire outfielder Myles Straw, cash considerations, & international signing bonus pool space for the 2025 period from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Cleveland agreed to a long-term deal in April 2022 with Straw, but he hit just .221 with no homers, 32 RBIs and 21 stolen bases that year, then batted .238 with one homer, 29 RBIs and 20 steals in 2023.

The San Diego Padres are in need of some moves to strengthen their roster for 2025. They are rumored to be one of the three finalists for Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, but they could also ...