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As reported by Francis Romero, the San Diego Padres appear to be ending their pursuit of Sasaki. This decision is underscored by the team's transition towards finalizing other international signings, including players like Yan De La Cruz and Carlos Alvarez. The Padres have been active in reallocating their international budget, with substantial implications for the upcoming signings. Notably, Alvarez is anticipated to receive a bonus of $1 million.
While the Padres have yet to formally announce their withdrawal from the Sasaki race, the movement towards signing other players suggests that they are no longer candidates for his services. Consequently, the remaining contenders for Sasaki's signature now appear to be the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.