Hanshin Approves MLB Posting for Triple Crown Winner Teruaki Sato

The Hanshin Tigers announced on October 19 that they would approve Teruaki Sato’s pursuit of an MLB move through the posting system this offseason. The left-handed slugger, who will play next season at age 28, won the 2026 Central League Triple Crown with a .306 average, 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. Once formally posted, Sato will have a 45-day window to negotiate with all 30 MLB clubs. A completed agreement would also generate a release fee for Hanshin based on the contract’s value. If no deal is reached within that period, he would return to Hanshin for 2027 and could not be posted again until the following offseason. No destination or contract terms have been determined. Sato won the 2025 Central League MVP award after hitting 40 homers with a .924 OPS. His Triple Crown season makes him a strong candidate for a second consecutive MVP, rather than a confirmed winner. He has hit at least 20 homers in five of his six NPB seasons and played at least 120 games every year. Primarily a third baseman, Sato won a Golden Glove in 2025 and also has outfield experience. Some MLB clubs could consider him at first base. His defensive fit and adjustment from a 27 percent strikeout rate over the past two seasons will be evaluation points. Reporter Jon Heyman has linked the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Phillies to Sato. Those reports indicate interest, not confirmed negotiations or an agreement.