Part 4/7:
Yu Darvish, a fellow Japanese pitcher with the Padres, has a relationship with Sasaki that could influence the decision-making process. A private connection between the two players could ease the transition for Sasaki, who may greatly benefit from Darvish’s experience in navigating life in the MLB. An environment where players can support one another—especially among those who share cultural backgrounds—can contribute to a more harmonious atmosphere for Sasaki.