Jon Heyman Phillies likely to pursue Japanese star Teruaki Sato — just not for third base By Jon Heyman Published Nov. 11, 2026, 8:50 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Make New York Post a Preferred Source Japan's Teruaki Sato hits a double during the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Australia on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Tokyo. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko The Phillies are believed likely to make a play for Japanese star Teruaki Sato.
The former Japan League MVP and Triple Crown winner is listed as a third baseman, but the Phillies view him as an outfielder, which they also need.
Sato, 27, played the outfield at the end of last season for the Hanshin Tigers. He’s seen as merely OK defensively.
Team Japan pinch hitter Teruaki Sato (7) hits an RBI double against Australia in a World Baseball Classic game at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Sunday, March 8, 2026. Getty Images There’s significant swing-and-miss in his game (327 strikeouts the past two years). But one scout said, “He’s a better hitter than [the White Sox’ Munetaka] Murakami.” …
