New York Mets Jon Heyman Mets interested in star Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato with glaring first base need By Jon Heyman Published Aug. 13, 2026, 5:17 p.m. ET Teruaki Sato of Team Japan hits a RBI double in the third inning during the game between Venezuela and Japan at loanDepot park on March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images The Mets are scouting and considering Hanshin Tigers star 3B Teruaki Sato, who’s expected to come to MLB. But if they do sign Sato, he might have to switch to 1B.
The Mets had mixed results with position switches this year. Bo Bichette moved seamlessly to 3B, but 1B hopeful Jorge Polanco’s injuries are limiting him to DH.
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The best early guess is that Bichette will be back at 3B, as he has a good chance to opt in, with $84 million and two years, plus a second opt-out to go, especially considering CBA uncertainty.
Like Munetaka Murakmai, who’s thrived at 1B slugging for the White Sox, Sato, a former Central League MVP with a 1.026 OPS, has “good pop” but is “questionable” at 3B, via scouts.
