The Padres are finalists for Roki Sasaki and they should follow up with these free agents this offseason amid ownership concerns.

The Padres, with Japanese star Yu Darvish on the roster, felt they had a legitimate shot at Sasaki, and they had more money to play with, almost $6.26 million, than L.A. But the Dodgers, who eliminated the Padres on their way to the World Series last season, prevailed again.

The San Diego Padres are one of the final three teams being considered by Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki.

In addition to his motivation in joining the Dodgers, Sasaki was asked about the impact both Ohtani and fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto had on his signing. He made it known it wasn't a priority to have Japanese teammates, but wanted to ensure he would be embraced by his new city.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move many baseball executives have long expected.

The San Diego Padres have received another Roki Sasaki meeting. As the sweepstakes intensify, teams are already being told they are out of the running like the

The Padres are finalizing deals with a pair of Dominican prospects and could be out of the Roki Sasaki race. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

In San Diego, news that one-man Powerball ticket Roki Sasaki has decided to join the Dodgers was more than a gut punch. It was a steel-toed boot to the shin, a Clydesdale stomp to the foot, a right hook to the jaw. This hurt in all kinds of ways, big and bigger than big.

Right until the very end, the San Diego Padres thought they had a real shot at landing Roki Sasaki, doing everything possible — from giving him a star-studded tour of the city to ensuring they had as much international bonus pool money as possible — to give themselves the edge over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on an unprecedented stretch that dates back to last offseason when they signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu ... also included the San Diego Padres and Toronto ...

The Dodgers, who have been active in the off-season, continue their search for players to add to their dynasty with the signing of three new players.