Blue Jays outlast Yankees in Roki Sasaki chase after wave of eliminations

The Toronto Blue Jays were late to the party, but they're still in the mix for international free agent pitcher Roki Sasaki. The Japanese sensation is set to make his decision in the coming days, and news of which teams did not make the first round of cuts is traveling quickly.

Among those who will not be securing Sasaki's services this offseason are the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees. That's right, Blue Jays fans. The big, bad, Bronx Bombers will be coming up empty-handed in the Sasaki sweepstakes.

Blue Jays outlast Yankees, Giants, and Mets in Roki Sasaki chase after wave of eliminations

While Sasaki has eliminated three teams, there are a handful of organizations remaining who may be a more favorable landing destination for the 23-year-old right-hander. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are the prohibitive favorites, and the Chicago Cubs are in the mix as well.

With so many free agent misses already this offseason, it would quite fortuitous if the Blue Jays were able to land Sasaki. Toronto missed out on Juan Soto earlier this winter, and former Cy Young Award-winner Corbin Burnes spurned the Jays in favor of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Blue Jays finally made a key addition this past week after signing free agent reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal. But with Toronto still needing to bolster its starting rotation, inking Sasaki would be a tremendous upgrade for a Blue Jays pitching staff that features Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Jose Berrios at the top.

Given the Dodgers' success with Japanese-born players and Sasaki's ties to Padres pitcher Yu Darvish, LA and San Diego likely have the inside track over the Jays and Cubs. But while Toronto is looking like a long shot, at least they outlasted their AL East foe. Sasaki is expected to make his announcement sometime this week.

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