Dodgers met $100M Rōki Sasaki clubhouse request to win free agency sweepstakes

The Los Angeles Dodgers ended up winning the sweepstakes for Rōki Sasaki in the offseason. However, they met a special request he had to do so.

Sasaki, 23, was the most sought-after international free agent this offseason. He left Japan early, forgoing the chance at a lucrative contract. He was only able to sign with funds from the international bonus pool. Many teams pursued him, but it was the Dodgers who came out on top. However, Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten revealed to the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett that Sasaki had a unique request that the Dodgers met, perhaps playing a role in his signing.

While pursuing Sasaki, the Dodgers were making renovations to the clubhouse, and the talk of the team's facilities came up during their meeting.

"I was telling him about all the amenities we were adding," Kasten said, according to Plunkett. "‘We’re going to have this and this and this.’ And he asked, ‘Are you going to have Japanese-style toilets?'"

Sasaki's request may have been odd, but for a player leaving his country to go to play baseball in the United States, it could be a big deal.

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"It sounds like a joke. But for me, it’s pretty important," Sasaki told Plunkett through an interpreter.

Kasten even asked if it would play a role in his decision. He ended up taking the idea to the Dodgers’ executive vice president for planning and development, Janet Marie Smith. Smith noted that the clubhouse renovations were already underway, and it was difficult. However, Kasten felt that it would send an important message.

Plunkett noted that the move could have added $100 million to the clubhouse renovations. However, this number is not confirmed. Kasten noted that comfort was a big deal for Sasaki and felt that making the move would send a message of the team being responsive to player needs.

When Kasten told Sasaki that the Japanese-style toilets were officially going into the clubhouse, Sasaki needed just one word to describe his feelings.

"Awesome," Sasaki replied to Kasten in English.

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