Many people around the league opined last week that questions about the team’s ownership would harm the Padres’ chances to land Sasaki. But chatter among MLB teams’ personnel people increasingly names the Padres as the favorite to land the pitcher who posted a 2.02 ERA in 414⅔ innings over four seasons in Japan.

With his window for a decision fast approaching, Roki Sasaki reportedly met with the Padres over the weekend as he continues to narrow his list of suitors. The highly coveted Japanese right-hander had an in-person meeting with the club in San Diego,

Padres officials hosted Sasaki in San Diego over the weekend after the pitcher visited the Blue Jays last week in Toronto.

A decision for Roki Sasaki is quickly approaching with the 2025 international signing period beginning on Jan. 15. The right-hander will have roughly a week to sign with a team before the Jan.