Part 4/6:
Sasaki’s signing also left a significant mark on teams that were jockeying for his acquisition, particularly the Toronto Blue Jays. Prior to Sasaki's announcement, the Blue Jays made a strategic trade to gain additional international bonus pool money, reflecting their commitment to acquiring talent from abroad. Teams like the San Diego Padres, boasting similar aspirations, were also affected. Despite their efforts, the unique challenges associated with Japanese free agent signings—complicated by longstanding tensions between MLB and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball—made any final decisions precarious.