Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation, has garnered significant attention from Major League Baseball (MLB) teams during his posting period. Among the interested parties, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been proactive in their pursuit. Notably, during their initial meeting with Sasaki, the Dodgers adhered to his request to exclude current players, such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, from the discussions.
Sasaki’s Structured Meeting Approach
Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, implemented a standardized process for team meetings to ensure fairness and integrity. All initial meetings were held in Los Angeles at a Wasserman office, each lasting under two hours. Sasaki specifically requested that no players attend these meetings, aiming to maintain an unbiased environment. This approach was confirmed by Wolfe, who stated that the parameters were set to “preserve the integrity of the process.”
Dodgers’ Compliance with Sasaki’s Preferences
In line with Sasaki’s stipulations, the Dodgers conducted their meeting without the presence of current players. This meant that recent high-profile signings like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were not part of the team’s pitch to Sasaki. This contrasts with previous recruitment efforts, where players such as Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman participated in meetings to attract talent like Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Implications for the Dodgers’ Recruitment Strategy
The absence of star players in the meeting with Sasaki represents a departure from the Dodgers’ typical recruitment strategy, which often leverages player involvement to build rapport and showcase team culture. However, respecting Sasaki’s preferences demonstrates the organization’s flexibility and commitment to accommodating the unique considerations of international players.
Sasaki’s Evaluation Criteria
Sasaki has been thorough in his evaluation of potential MLB destinations. He engaged with presentations from twenty teams and conducted meetings with six, including the Dodgers, Cubs, Giants, Mets, Rangers, and Yankees. Sasaki provided these teams with a “homework assignment” to assess factors such as pitching development, market size, location, team success, and the presence of Japanese players. This meticulous approach underscores his desire to find an optimal environment for his transition to MLB.
Next Steps in Sasaki’s Decision-Making Process
After completing initial meetings, Sasaki returned to Japan to deliberate on his options. He plans to narrow down his list of suitors and may visit one or two cities before making a final decision. The international free agent signing period begins on January 15, and Sasaki is expected to finalize his choice before the January 23 deadline.
The Dodgers’ adherence to Roki Sasaki’s meeting preferences reflects their respect for his decision-making process and their adaptability in recruitment strategies. As Sasaki continues to evaluate his MLB options, the Dodgers remain a prominent contender, poised to integrate his exceptional talent into their pitching rotation, should he choose to join the organization.
