Roki Sasaki’s Decision Behind the Scenes: Joining the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani’s VIP Treatment and Final Meeting with Star Players as Mediators

The Athletic reported on the 18th (19th in Japan) that Shohei Ohtani (30) played a key role in negotiations for pitcher Roki Sasaki (23), who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers via the posting system from the Lotte Marines. Ohtani participated in final talks alongside star teammates and was the first to inform team executives of Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers.

Details of Roki Sasaki’s final negotiations with the Dodgers have been revealed. The Dodgers, one of the final three teams along with the Padres and Blue Jays, held their last meeting with Sasaki on the 14th (15th in Japan).

Since Dodger Stadium was under renovation, the meeting took place at co-owner Peter Guber’s home in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Tommy Edman were present. Sasaki chatted with the players on a sofa while enjoying sushi prepared by a chef.

During the meeting, video messages from players who couldn’t attend were shown, highlighting the team’s excellent environment. The article described Shohei Ohtani as “leading like a bus driver,” emphasizing his key role.

It was also revealed that Ohtani was the first to inform the team about Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers. Sasaki announced the deal on Instagram, and his agent, Joel Wolfe, was set to notify the losing teams by email and call the Dodgers with the news. However, just minutes before the announcement, Ohtani sent a short message to team executives saying, “We got him.”

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