The Padres are finalists for Roki Sasaki and they should follow up with these free agents this offseason amid ownership concerns.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move many baseball executives have long expected.

The Padres are finalizing deals with a pair of Dominican prospects and could be out of the Roki Sasaki race. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers, he announced. That leaves the Padres to face an uncertain path in the months leading up to the 2025 season and to face the reality of their closest and most irksome rival going forward with yet another star player.

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.

While the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays were battling it out for Roki Sasaki, the defending World Series champs seem to have won.

The San Diego Padres are one of the final three teams being considered by Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki.

For Dodgers fans, it’s cause for celebration. For the rest of the league, it’s a disappointing conclusion and another reason to gripe and groan about the growing might of MLB’s new evil empire.

A case could be made that Sasaki was the most valuable pitcher on the winter free agent market because of the unique circumstances of his departure from from the Japan.

Japanese star Roki Sasaki signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced on Instagram. The 23-year-old right-hander with a sizzling fastball and deadly splitter joins Samurai Japan teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto with the World Series champion Dodgers.

Japanese star right-hander Roki Sasaki announced on Instagram Friday that he will sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sasaki, 23, was the most coveted international free agent of the MLB offseason. He chose to sign with the reigning World Series champions, who have bolstered their oft-injured starting rotation immensely since the winter began.