The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines during the offseason by uniquely acquiring Japanese pitching prodigy Roki Sasaki, who was only able to sign a minor league deal due to MLB's international bonus rules. Despite having limited funds, the Dodgers impressed Sasaki with a thoughtful pitch, emphasizing their strong ties to the Japanese-American community and organizational stability. This winning combination, along with a personal 'homework assignment' from Sasaki and a clear development plan, ultimately swayed him to join the Dodgers instead of taking a larger signing bonus from other teams like the Padres.
The Dodgers' emphasis on Los Angeles' strong Japanese-American community and their stability as an organization convinced Sasaki to sign despite a lower signing bonus.
Sasaki's ‘homework assignment’ and the Dodgers' comprehensive development plan showcased their commitment, appealing to him more than any financial incentive from other teams.
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