The Toronto Blue Jays know that they are currently in a two-horse race for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki. The star pitcher has already ruled out the San Diego Padres and the Jays only have to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the hurler. The problem is that LA has become the preferred destination for Asian players in recent seasons and logic indicates that’s where Sasaki will go.
Still, the Blue Jays are not going down without a fight. The odds are against them, but they still have a chance and they intend to make the most of it.
That’s why the Blue Jays executed a trade on Friday, absorbing the contract of light-hitting Myles Straw and getting $2 million in international bonus pool money from the Cleveland Guardians.
“Sources tell me and @ShiDavidi the Blue Jays are getting $2 million in international cap space in their trade with CLE. Again, this does not mean Roki Sasaki has made a decision, but Jays clearly prepping in case he chooses them,” Blue Jays insider Ben Nicholson-Smith posted on X.
The Blue Jays are going all-in on Sasaki
Sasaki, who posted a 2.10 career ERA in Japan, is ready for a new challenge. The Dodgers offer the chance to join a bonafide contender and closer to home, which complicates things for Toronto.
A good start would be offering more money than the Dodgers, and that will be the case in large part thanks to the trade they just executed with Cleveland. He also gets the chance to be the staff ace in Toronto when he gets his feet wet in the MLB universe.
A decision is expected to come before Jan. 23, when Sasaki’s posting window ends. The entire baseball world is paying attention to the hurler’s decision, as it can shape what is left of the off-season.