We are already one month into the regular season, still the trade talks around Roki Sasaki are finding the spotlight. Being the most coveted international signing, we all know how Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers was influenced by front office stability, the team’s commitment to player development, and the presence of fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. But there was something else, too. Something absurd and hilarious, to say the least. 

What do you think a team will do to land a star? A good payroll, good facilities, and better development opportunities. What the Dodgers did for Sasaki was beyond that!

Japanese-style bidet-equipped toilets!

As ridiculous as it sounds, it is true, and Sasaki himself revealed how much he was influenced by it.

“It sounds like a joke. But for me, it’s pretty important,” Sasaki said during his interview with the Orange County Register. But what influenced this condition? During his stay in America, he obviously discovered the difference between how the US and Japan use their toilets.

For starters, Japanese toilets, especially the high-end ones, often come with bidet functions, adjustable water pressure and temperature, air dryers, deodorizing systems, heated seats, auto-flushing, and even lid sensors that open and close automatically. American toilets, on the other hand, tend to prioritize durability and basic flushing over luxury or tech features. You mostly find bidets separately rather than integrated.

Hence, Roki Sasaki, being from Japan, might have found it hard to get accustomed to the American way of living. Then, what’s better than to ask the suitors directly for a Japanese ambiance?  The Dodgers, being the financial behemoth in MLB, expectedly went beyond what others can dream of to land Sasaki.

Reportedly, they have undertaken significant renovations to their clubhouse, aiming to modernize and expand the facilities. Team president and CEO Stan Kasten described the upgrades as making the clubhouse “state-of-the-art once again,” with expansions including a 30% increase in overall size and a 40% enlargement of the clubhouse itself. This includes everything that Sasaki has expected from the club. 

Now that’s a unique way of landing an international star, and this again proved how the Dodgers are well ahead of others in starting new trends in MLB. With Sasaki now having what he asked for, it’s time for his pitching to do the rest.

Sasaki is yet to go all guns blazing

​Rōki Sasaki’s 2025 MLB season with the Dodgers has been a blend of promise and adjustment. Over his first six starts, he has posted a 0–1 record with a 3.55 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and a 1.42 WHIP across 25⅓ innings. Sasaki’s initial MLB outings were marked by control issues, including 11 walks over his first 8⅔ innings. In his debut against the Tigers, he was pulled after 1⅔ innings, having allowed two runs on three hits.

Well, the 23-year-old was never a ready product, but a rookie. So, a mixed-bag performance was expected. His early struggles in 2025 can be traced primarily to inconsistencies in command, particularly with his fastball. Moreover, his walk rate remains elevated compared to league averages, with left-handed hitters exploiting occasional lapses in location. Despite flashing elite velocity and movement, Sasaki has struggled to consistently get ahead in counts, leading to elevated pitch counts and shorter outings.

While his ongoing efforts to refine strike-throwing mechanics and adjust to MLB hitters are encouraging, his command development remains a critical focus if he’s to reach his full potential at the major league level.

However, his recent outings are showing a mark of resilience. The game against the Rangers on the 19th showed what Sasaki is capable of. He achieved his first MLB-quality start, pitching six innings with two earned runs, two hits, and four strikeouts. Despite a slight dip in fastball velocity, Sasaki adapted effectively, showcasing his growing confidence.

So, it is evident that Roki Sasaki is taking some time to adjust to the MLB rhythm. Till then, the Dodgers need to remain optimistic about his development and potential impact on the team’s success.