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JUST IN: Shohei Ohtani Discloses How He Convinced Roki Sasaki To Join LA Dodgers
On March 5, 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani dropped a bombshell during a press conference at Camelback Ranch, revealing the behind-the-scenes efforts that led Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki to sign with the reigning World Series champions. Ohtani, the 2024 National League MVP and a global icon, confirmed long-standing speculation that he played a pivotal role in recruiting the 23-year-old right-hander, who joined the Dodgers in January on a minor-league deal with a $6.5 million signing bonus.
Ohtani, speaking through his interpreter Will Ireton, explained that his pitch to Sasaki was rooted in their shared experiences as Japanese players transitioning to Major League Baseball. “I told him how much this organization cares about player development, especially for pitchers,” Ohtani said. “I knew he’d heard from a lot of teams, but I wanted him to see how the Dodgers could help him grow—not just as a pitcher, but as a person.” Ohtani highlighted the team’s state-of-the-art facilities, data-driven training, and the presence of fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto as key selling points.
The two-way sensation also admitted to leveraging their personal connection. Having faced Sasaki in Japan and shared the field during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani reached out directly via video call in December 2024. “I didn’t push too hard,” he said with a smile. “I just told him what it’s been like for me here—how the fans, the team, the city made me feel at home. I think that mattered to him.” Sasaki, who had nearly 20 suitors including the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, reportedly valued the chance to join a rotation featuring Ohtani and Yamamoto, two of his countrymen already thriving in LA.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was blindsided by Sasaki’s marriage announcement last month, praised Ohtani’s influence. “Shohei’s a quiet leader, but when he speaks, people listen. He didn’t have to sell Roki on talent—the kid’s got that in spades. It was about trust.” Sasaki’s spring debut on March 4, where he struck out five over three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, validated the hype, with Ohtani watching from the dugout.
As the Dodgers prepare for their season opener in Tokyo on March 18, where Sasaki is slated to pitch Game 2, Ohtani’s recruitment coup underscores his growing off-field impact. With a rotation boasting Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and a rehabbing Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers’ Japanese trio could make them unstoppable in 2025.
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