The Los Angeles Dodgers have been on an unprecedented stretch that dates back to last offseason when they signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to respective record-setting contracts.

With ownership turmoil and no offseason additions, the Padres must figure out how to contend without the Japanese phenom they coveted.

Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers, he announced. That leaves the Padres to face an uncertain path in the months leading up to the 2025 season and to face the reality of their closest and most irksome rival going forward with yet another star player.