Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato was expected to be posted for MLB teams this winter even before he delivered big numbers during the 2026 NPB season. With Soto on pace for the best season of his six-year stint with the Tigers, big league clubs like the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers have all been “linked to Soto” as possible suitors this winter, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The report comes as little surprise, given that all four of these teams are routinely in the market for top-tier Japanese talent. Signing Shohei Ohtani just further established the Dodgers as Japan’s favorite MLB club, which undoubtedly helped (along with, you know, the money) the team’s efforts in signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the last few years. The Mets made a big strike in the Japanese market by signing Kodai Senga during the 2022-23 offseason. Masahiro Tanaka, and former World Series MVP Hideki Matsui are among the many Japanese stars to wear the Yankee pinstripes. The Phillies have yet to make a big-ticket signing from NPB but have increased their efforts on this front in recent years, most notably making a strong attempt to sign Yamamoto.
It’s certainly good news for Sato and his reps that so many large-market teams have some interest in his services, even with the looming lockout standing as a big obstacle to the international posting market. Once an NPB player is posted for MLB teams, the player has 45 days to negotiate a deal with a big league team, or else he returns to his Japanese club for the rest of the next season. Sato and other NPB stars who may be posted this winter should officially hit the market in mid-November or so, but their posting windows will be frozen once the lockout is enacted on December 1.
While it’s possible Sato and company could sign before December 1, that would make for a somewhat rushed process for the biggest professional decision of Sato’s career. There is also the possibility that the NPB/MLB posting procedure could be altered in a new collective bargaining agreement, though players who were posted before the current CBA expired could be grandfathered in under the previous rules. Still, with Sato clearly eager to test himself in the majors, he may not mind waiting out the lockout if need be…especially if his huge 2026 production has upped his asking price.
Sato has hit .314/.399/.614 with 27 homers over 446 plate appearances for the Tigers this season. It’s a step beyond even his numbers from 2025, when Sato won Central League MVP honors. Over his six NPB seasons and 3272 PA, Sato has batted .270/.337/.510 with 151 homers, as his overall production is somewhat weighed down by more ordinary numbers in his first two seasons. Beyond his 2025 CL MVP trophy, Sato’s resume also includes four All-Star nods, a Japan Series ring with the Tigers in 2023, and a place on Japan’s team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Sato doesn’t turn 28 until March, so several prime years should be left as he prepares to make the jump to the Show. His future position in the majors is a matter of some debate, even though Sato won a Golden Glove award for his third base work in 2025. Heyman writes that some scouts think Sato is “questionable” to stick as a third baseman in MLB, so first base might be his ultimate destination. (Sato has also gotten some work as an outfielder with the Tigers.)
The Phillies are probably the cleanest fit position-wise, as Sato could be slotted in at either corner infield slot if Bryce Harper remains as a right fielder. Since Alec Bohm is a free agent this winter, the Phils could sign Sato to play third base, move Bryson Stott back to second base, and then have flexibility in regards to Harper’s spot on the field.
The Mets could have both corner infield positions open if Bo Bichette opts out of his contract, but that’s probably a less-likely scenario given how Bichette has underachieved at the plate this year. Assuming Bichette is back as the Amazins’ third baseman, Sato could just take over at first base, thus pushing Jorge Polanco, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos into utility or DH duty (or off the roster altogether).
Ben Rice isn’t going anywhere as the Yankees’ regular first baseman, so if Sato winds up in the Bronx, he would supplant Ryan McMahon at third base. McMahon is owed $16MM in 2027, but the Yankees could look to trade him, or perhaps just eat the money in a release. McMahon has long been a light-hitting but defensively stellar third baseman, but his glovework has declined to being just pretty good in 2026, rather than superb enough to overlook his lack of offense.
Between Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy, Los Angeles is pretty set at both corner infield slots, plus Ohtani’s presence obviously locks up the DH spot. Since Freeman and Muncy’s contracts are only guaranteed through 2027, a Sato signing might be more about the future, even though Freeman and Muncy are both very productive players and Muncy is controlled via a $10MM club option for 2028. One can never rule out the Dodgers when it comes to making creative plays for top talent, but on paper, it would seem like Sato isn’t a clear fit for the club’s needs.
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