For several weeks the Los Angeles Dodgers were touted as the favorites to sign Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki; however, as of late, another NL West team has emerged to be the team with the upperhand in the Sasaki sweepstakes.

Young Japanese ace Roki Sasaki is nearing a pivotal MLB decision, with another team reportedly edging out the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Many think that Roki Sasaki will pick the Dodgers and Giants in free agency, but the Mariners are emerging as a dark-horse candidate.

"We're going to do whatever we can, and know that there are a lot of other teams that are going to do the exact same thing," Friedman said.

The rumors have been swirling around Roki Sasaki all offseason and with the winter meetings around the corner, the wind is picking up. Sasaki isn't expected to

Roki Sasaki's free-agent meetings have so far excluded the Philadelphia Phillies but will now include an unlikely fourth suitor.

Roki Sasaki's future in Major League Baseball is still up in the air, and it's a decision that can't be taken lightly. Shohei Ohtani knows this all too well.