Padres, Blue Jays' Top Targets in MLB FA After Rōki Sasaki Signs Dodgers Contract
The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays have lost out on Japanese pitching superstar Rōki Sasaki after he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
It's a tough blow for both teams given the 23-year-old Sasaki's potential as a staff ace, but both teams are forced to push forward this offseason in hopes of improving the roster through other means.
The 93-win Padres pushed the Dodgers to a series deciding Game 5 in the NLCS but ultimately fell 2-0. Meanwhile, the 74-win Blue Jays endured a disappointing season that ended with a last-place finish in the AL East despite a talented roster capable of a far better finish.
Here's a look at three players apiece each team can pursue as the winter continues.
San Diego Padres
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Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Profar, who turns 32 on Feb. 20, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024, earning All-Star and Silver Slugger honors for San Diego. He hit .280 (.839 OPS) with 24 home runs and 85 RBI alongside 94 runs.
Naturally, he played a big part in the Padres' tremendous season, and it would behoove San Diego to re-sign him. Profar said after the season that he wanted to return to the team, though it's always a question of money and years. Still, San Diego could use his bat again.
James McCann
In December, Robert Murray of FanSided reported The Baseball Insiders (h/t Valentina Martinez of San Diego Padres on SI) that the Padres had interest in free agent James McCann.
"I know one player they do have interest in is James McCann, but there's a gap in money there so I don't necessarily think that's the most likely thing," Murray said.
The Padres need some help at catcher and just added Martin Maldonado on a non-roster contract, but he just hit .119 with a .403 OPS with the Chicago White Sox. He's known for his defensive efforts, which is likely why the Padres landed him, but the 38-year-old isn't a long-term solution and may not make the team as is.
McCann could be of service. The 34-year-old showed some pop in 65 games with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting eight home runs (31 RBI) with a .234 average and .667 OPS.
Spencer Turnbull
Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors predicted the Padres to land right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull in free agency.
Turnbell has engineered an impressive comeback after missing part of 2021 and all of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. He then came back in 2023 but struggled with a 7.26 ERA in seven starts.
But the 32-year-old Turnbull enjoyed success in 2024. He began the year as a starter before moving to the bullpen, posting a 1.67 ERA over six starts. In 17 games (seven starts) last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Turnbull went 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA (1.05 WHIP). He also struck out 58 batters in 54.1 innings.
The Padres could use some help on the back end of their rotation right now, and he could very well be the answer.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Alex Bregman
ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Thursday that an MLB executive speculated the Blue Jays are "in position to offer the most money, given their level of desperation," to ex-Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.
The Blue Jays have been in the running for Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Rōki Sasaki and have fallen short. The Jays need to go out and improve the roster as best they financially can at this point to exorcise last year's demons and take advantage of the talent already on this roster.
Bregman would help. He slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in 2024 and earned Gold Glove honors for the first time in his career as well. Bregman's a two-time World Series champion and two-time All-Star who would bring a winning resume to a Toronto team that hasn't won a playoff series in nine years.
Anthony Santander
On Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Blue Jays were still in negotiations with ex-Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander.
The 30-year-old just cracked 44 home runs and added 102 RBI in his first-ever All-Star and Silver Slugger season. He also earned an .814 OPS.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report previously had Santander as a realistic option to plug a hole for the team.
"With Daulton Varsho expected to miss the start of the season as he continues his recovery from September shoulder surgery, the Blue Jays are projected to have Joey Loperfido and Nathan Lukes start alongside George Springer in the outfield. They are also sorely lacking in viable protection for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of the lineup, assuming Springer and Bo Bichette are batting ahead of him. Adding Santander on the heels of a 44-homer season would address both issues."
In sum, the Jays need more pop and lineup depth, and Santander would solve both issues.
Carlos Estévez
The Blue Jays had the second-worst bullpen ERA (4.82) in the bigs last year, behind only the Colorado Rockies (5.41). Toronto needs some arms on the back end to compete. They just signed All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman from the Philadelphia Phillies but could still use more help.
Perhaps the Blue Jays could add his ex-teammate in Carlos Estévez, who MLB Trade Rumors predicts to land a three-year, $27 million contract. On Jan. 7, Jon Heyman of the New York Post said the Blue Jays were one of six teams with interest.
Three days later, Hoffman signed with the Blue Jays. He'll be the backbone of the bullpen and should be a huge help, but he can't fix the teams' relief problems alone.
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