Quote from fenn68 on January 14, 2025, 5:58 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 14, 2025, 5:01 am

Anyone else wonder why the Blue Jays are finalists for Sasaki?

What is it about Toronto he likes and is it a good thing for us?

My guess is yes.

IMO Toronto has the least amount of Media scrutiny of the 3 finalists and is way down the list of all MLB teams.

It's not the West Coast....Money isn't as valuable etc,etc.

BUT,if they are finalists due to the fact it isn't a media frenzy 24/7 that's a good sign for the Padres.

 

Toronto has a couple of things going for it ... first it owns Canada as a marketing source and getting a vast population to target will get him more endorsement money  (to compensate for the restriction on signing money) even beyond the endorsement money in Japan.

As I recall Toronto has a very robust Japanese population ... so maybe a better transition for comfort ... plus has direct flights from Tokyo (so the West Coast does not really have that advantage).

I can't see those points moving TOR ahead of SD or LA ... but certainly puts TOR as a finalist.

I guess the one point that might work TOR in is the endorsement money outside of Japan ... being secondary to Ohtani / Yamamoto in the LA area and SD just is a small market is negative if money really is at issue. Is not money always the issue? I would expect that all three of the finalist had a marketing / endorsement plan as part of the pitch.

Quote from fenn68 on January 14, 2025, 6:04 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 14, 2025, 4:56 am

The Ownership issues couldn't have popped up at a worse time....not to mention the Rodeo at Petco while Roki was there working out.....at least it wasn't the Circus.

Ugh

 

Sasaki was in SD, but did not hear, he was working out (does not really need to). Maybe Sasaki loves the Rodeo and that is a deal sealer?

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 14, 2025, 7:21 am

There's a video on X of him throwing to Ethan Salas in the outfield among all the Rodeo nonsense

https://x.com/dugoutforever/status/1878982322810446151

 

Sure hope he isn't upset about the video leaking

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 14, 2025, 10:45 am

Given there is not a major difference in international pool money (SD and TOR at $6.2MM and LAD at about $5.4MM) wonder if Sasaki's camp is / was not really negotiating numbers (maybe indicating the price is maybe $5MM) and each team would agree or be out ... then the decision clearly becomes a one of Sasaki's "comfort".

Also, side point ... tomorrow teams can begin trading for additional international pool money. I think they can add up to 60% of their initial pool. (of course they have to have a team that wants to trade and like who the Padres have to offer). We should watch out if the Padres makes some moves to that end. That could be either to pay a bigger number to Sasaki (maybe why his agent said they will not sign on the 15th ... just wait a bit) or if not an issue with Sasaki enhance the ability to sign other international FA who they had handshake deals with.

---

Keeping in mind that the team trading its pool allocation is not really trading anything except the right to spend ... so if they are not fully committed to the international market or value a player already established vs a prospect 5-6 years out that really makes sense for a team to deal. Even if that player comes with a ML contract (like Peralta at $4.5MM) ... that is cheaper than filling their need via FA for similar talent.

Since Preller really likes the international market and has a need to lower payroll ... good chance we see a deal tomorrow that includes in the return pool money.

Quote from ultratvfan on January 14, 2025, 12:46 pm

Sasaki is having a second meeting with the Dodgers today. I am now worried that the Dodgers are once again going to take the top players away from the Padres. I sure hope not.

Quote from Alex Tamayo on January 14, 2025, 3:49 pm

Quote from ultratvfan on January 14, 2025, 12:46 pm

Sasaki is having a second meeting with the Dodgers today. I am now worried that the Dodgers are once again going to take the top players away from the Padres. I sure hope not.

• I have no idea if my sales experiences applies to baseball, but, If I am not sure a client will buy my product or service and my competition might win him over, I would ask to meet again just to see what I can do to change the course of his decision. Since the start I have been thinking he is going to the bums, but still, don't think this 2nd meeting indicates he will.

Quote from WindsorUK on January 15, 2025, 1:31 am

Just about to head out into the Tokyo night, rocking my SD Padres hat.

Saying that, Ohtani is EVERYWHERE!!! Bus stop signs, subway posters, sports gear, even green tea!

Keeping my fingers crossed for Sasaki🤞🏽

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 15, 2025, 5:25 am

So I wonder if he stayed in LA today?

That would be a bad sign.

No reason to stay in LA unless you're signing there and/or want to do the tourist stuff.

Let's hope it's the latter if he's still there.

Maybe he drove on down to SD last night.......:)

 

Quote from fenn68 on January 15, 2025, 5:53 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on January 15, 2025, 5:25 am

So I wonder if he stayed in LA today?

That would be a bad sign.

No reason to stay in LA unless you're signing there and/or want to do the tourist stuff.

Let's hope it's the latter if he's still there.

Maybe he drove on down to SD last night.......:)

 

His agent is based in LA and that is where he held all the first round meeting with teams ... so likely is in LA until (and maybe a bit after) the decision is announced.