The San Diego Padres face tough competition in the pursuit of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, with the Los Angeles Dodgers emerging as the frontrunner. Insiders suggest the Dodgers have a staggering 98 percent chance of signing Sasaki, primarily due to their robust roster and resources.

While the Padres have connections through Yu Darvish, his age raises concerns about his longevity. The Dodgers, already featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, present a compelling case for Sasaki, who may prefer a stable environment with established players.