The race to sign Japanese power hitter Teruaki Sato is on. Interested MLB teams have less than a month to sign players that have been posted by Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) or Korea’s KBO as the current MLB CBA will expire at 5 p.m. ET on December 1, 2026.
Sato, a third baseman, won his second consecutive NPB Central League MVP award in 2026 as he led the league in batting average (.306), home runs (39) and RBI (106). American fans may recognize him from the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as he hit three doubles in 10 at-bats.
Below, we will look at MLB free agency rumors in regards to Sato.
Teruaki Sato to Yankees free agency rumors
The Yankees have a clear need at third base as Ryan McMahon was a weak link in the New York lineup this past season. McMahon hit just .213 with 11 homers in 2026. He had just 1 hit in four postseason games.
Brian Cashman’s first priority this off-season is to re-sign closer David Bednar. The Yankees then must focus on rebuilding their infield and getting younger. Sato is entering the prime of his career at 27-years-old.
Teruaki Sato to Mets free agency rumors
Third base is not a need for the Mets, but first base most certainly is. If the Mets are serious about signing Sato, they will likely attempt to transition him to being a first baseman.
It’s unknown if Sato and his representatives would go for that. If the dollar figures are around the same from the Mets, and say, the Yankees, Sato would likely sign with the Yankees considering he could stay at his natural position. The Mets would likely need to overwhelm Sato with money in order for him to change positions.
Of note, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns traveled to Japan in September of 2026 to scout Sato.
Teruaki Sato to Phillies free agency rumors
Like the Yankees, the Phillies have a need at third base. Alec Bohm is likely to leave via free agency as the Phillies did not extend a qualifying offer to man who has been a staple of their infield since 2020.
Phillies GM Preston Mattingly scouted Bohm in person in May, and the team sent scouts to watch him play in the Central League Climax Series last month.
Complex Bets is the premier destination for the intersection of sports, culture, and fandom, featuring original programming for the modern bettor and trader. Join our community of over 1 million fans by following @complexbets on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X, and subscribe on YouTube for exclusive storytelling across sports and prediction markets.
