Dodgers Sign Roki Sasaki, Install Japanese Toilets Amid Renovation

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki this offseason not just with a competitive offer, but by agreeing to install Japanese-style toilets in their clubhouse—a unique request Sasaki jokingly made during negotiations. Team president Stan Kasten immediately agreed to the upgrade, which was incorporated into the team's $100 million clubhouse renovation. While Sasaki later admitted the request was partially tongue-in-cheek, he emphasized that the Dodgers' willingness to accommodate his preference played a significant role in his decision to sign with them over rivals like the Padres and Blue Jays. Sasaki received a $6.5 million signing bonus and has posted a 3.55 ERA in his first six starts for Los Angeles. The Dodgers' effort to address cultural comforts for international players highlights their commitment to attracting top global talent. This unusual recruiting tactic has garnered widespread media attention and underscored the evolving dynamics of international player negotiations in Major League Baseball.