Dodgers Rumors: Shohei Ohtani was 'Driving the Bus' in Rōki Sasaki Contract Pursuit

Shohei Ohtani reportedly played a large role in starting pitcher Rōki Sasaki signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ohtani was part of a contingent of Dodgers players present at the team's meeting with Sasaki on Tuesday and was "driving the bus" in the effort to land the right-hander, according to Fabian Ardaya, Dennis Lin, Patrick Mooney, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.

Sasaki announced that he was agreeing to a contract with Los Angeles on Friday, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus.

Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Tommy Edman were also present at the meeting with the 23-year-old (via Ardaya, Lin, Mooney, Rosenthal and Sammon). The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays previously talked with Sasaki.

He shares a prior connection with Ohtani as well as Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as all three were teammates on the Team Japan roster that emerged victorious in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Sasaki has showcased his blazing fastball and impressive splitter with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines over the past four seasons.

In 64 combined NPB appearances, he compiled a 2.10 ERA and 0.894 WHIP to go along with a 29-15 record. He also racked up 505 strikeouts compared to 88 walks in 394.2 innings of work.

Sasaki, Ohtani and Yamamoto are all expected to serve as key rotation pieces for the Dodgers in 2025 as they look to defend their World Series title. Ohtani was limited to hitting in 2024, but he's expected to take the mound again during the 2025 season.

Even though he was only available at the plate, the 30-year-old still won his third MVP award. He recorded 38 doubles, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases while posting a .310/.390/.646 slash line.

Ohtani's presence helped Los Angeles capture a championship, and he's also helped the Dodgers' free-agency pursuits.