“The Padres would be a great fit” - MLB insider highlights Roki Sasaki’s potential impact on San Diego amid rotation concerns

Roki Sasaki is the latest big talent set to come over from Japan to the major leagues this winter. Still only 23, Sasaki is still classified as an "international amateur" and is only eligible for a contract equivalent to a minor league deal.

This opens the door for any franchise to secure his services, as long as they can convince him with their sporting project. Though numerous reports over the past weeks have tipped the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorites to bring Sasaki in, sportswriter David Schoenfield believes their bitter rivals, the San Diego Padres, are a better fit and have a bigger need for the exciting talent.

"The Padres would be a great fit -- and perhaps none of the likeliest suitors need Sasaki quite as much as the Padres," Schoenfield wrote in an article posted on ESPN dated November 27.

Schoenfeld noted that the Padres' payroll is almost to its limit despite not re-signing stars Jurickson Profar or Ha-Seong Kim, so Sasaki's minor league deal won't be much of an issue. Moreover, ace Joe Musgrove will miss 2025 due to Tommy John surgery, so San Diego needs another starting pitcher to fill that spot.

Roki Sasaki in action in the World Baseball Classic Semifinals against Mexico - Source: Getty

In his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki has accumulated a host of accolades to match his reputation. Having made his debut in 2021, Sasaki already has two NPB All-Star selections to his name. He was also part of the Japan team that won the 2023 World Baseball Classic, along with established MLB stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yu Darvish.

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How the presence of Yu Darvish may be a key factor in the San Diego Padres landing Roki Sasaki

There is a key factor at play that makes the San Diego Padres a strong potential landing spot for Roki Sasaki. Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish has quite a good friendship with the young ace and has helped him perfect his craft over the years, often playing the role of a mentor for Sasaki.

As per sources, Darvish has been unhappy with other Japanese stars, such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto most recently, choosing to head to Dodger Stadium to share the dressing room with Shohei Ohtani. With Sasaki, he is reportedly trying to make sure that trend does not continue.