Part 3/8:
The Padres, another top contender, have been linked to Sasaki due to their management and player relationships. AJ Preller, known for his talent evaluation skills, along with Yu Darvish—who many regard as the “Godfather” of Japanese players—could tilt the scales. With Darvish’s presence in San Diego and his potential role as a mentor, the Padres may have an inside edge in securing Sasaki.