Blue Jays Left Searching for Answers After Roki Sasaki Chooses Dodgers
TORONTO – Once again, the Blue Jays find themselves on the outside looking in.
Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki has decided to sign with the Dodgers, breaking the news himself via Instagram—just as Shohei Ohtani did a year ago. The Blue Jays, who were among the final three teams vying for Sasaki alongside the Padres, now face the disappointment of another high-profile pursuit falling short.
This latest setback comes just hours after Toronto acquired $2 million in international bonus pool money in a trade with the Guardians, a move seemingly aimed at strengthening their bid for Sasaki. But despite their aggressive approach, the Blue Jays have once again missed out on a franchise-altering talent.
The team has repeatedly pushed its financial limits in pursuit of stars—Ohtani last winter, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes—but has struggled to land those game-changing players. While it’s encouraging that Toronto remains a serious contender for marquee names, the lack of results is frustrating for a fan base that hasn’t seen a playoff win since 2016.
Sasaki represented a rare opportunity. Because of international signing rules, the 23-year-old is entering the league at a fraction of the cost of other top-tier free agents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Blue Jays have shown a strong interest in tapping into the Japanese and Korean markets, but after near-misses with both Ohtani and Sasaki, they are left wondering where to turn next.
With holes still to fill in the lineup, rotation, and bullpen, Toronto must shift focus quickly. Free agents like Anthony Santander and Pete Alonso remain available, and the market is expected to heat up again soon.
But as the Blue Jays watch another coveted star head to Los Angeles, the question lingers: When will Toronto finally land the big one?
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