The Los Angeles Dodgers have built a strong pipeline of talent from Japan in recent years, and they could be positioning themselves for yet another high-profile addition this offseason.
According to New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, the Dodgers rank among several Major League clubs showing interest in 27-year-old Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato. The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies also have been linked to the left-handed hitter, while the New York Mets recently sent scouts to evaluate him.
Sato would need the Tigers to post him under the current NPB-to-MLB agreement before any serious talks could begin. Once posted, he would enter a 45-day negotiating window to reach a deal with a big-league team or return to Japan for another season.
The Dodgers already feature three prominent Japanese stars on their roster in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. That group has helped the franchise become a preferred destination for players making the jump from Nippon Professional Baseball, both on the field and in terms of marketing appeal across the Pacific.
Sato debuted with the Hanshin Tigers in 2021 and has developed into one of the Central League’s most productive hitters. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound infielder bats left and throws right, offering the flexibility to play third base or the outfield.
In 2025, Sato captured Central League Most Valuable Player honors after launching 40 home runs and driving in 102 runs while posting a .277 batting average, .345 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage for a .924 OPS. He also earned Best Nine and Golden Glove recognition that year and helped Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
This season he has stayed just as dangerous. Through more than 100 games, Sato is hitting around .317 with 27 home runs, 76 RBIs, a .404 on-base percentage and a .622 slugging mark. His OPS sits above 1.020 and leads the Central League, putting him on pace for another 40-homer campaign if the numbers hold.
Career totals through his first five-plus seasons show consistent power: more than 150 home runs and nearly 500 RBIs in over 760 games, along with a lifetime .270 average and .510 slugging percentage. Those figures come despite playing half his games in the pitcher-friendly confines of Koshien Stadium.
Several clubs have clear roster needs that could make Sato an attractive target. The Yankees have searched for left-handed power and infield depth in recent winters. The Phillies continue looking for ways to bolster their lineup, and the Mets have scouted him amid ongoing evaluations of first-base and corner options.
A social media post summarizing Heyman’s reporting put it this way: “Heyman: Mets scouting and considering Teruaki Sato if he’s posted. Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies are also linked to Sato.”
Sato’s combination of raw power, improving plate discipline and defensive versatility has drawn comparisons to other successful Japanese position players who have adapted quickly to Major League pitching. Evaluators note his ability to drive the ball to all fields and his improved walk rate this season, which has climbed above 12 percent.
Whether Hanshin decides to post him remains the key unknown. Japanese clubs often weigh the financial return from the posting fee against the value of keeping a homegrown star. If the Tigers do make him available, the competition among the linked teams is expected to intensify quickly once the 45-day clock starts.
For the Dodgers, adding another Japanese standout would further cement their status as the clear favorite among Pacific Rim free agents and posted players. With Ohtani already the face of the franchise and Yamamoto and Sasaki anchoring the pitching staff, a power bat like Sato could give Los Angeles even more offensive firepower heading into the next free-agency period.
The offseason remains months away, but the early interest signals that Sato has become one of the more closely watched potential arrivals from Japan.
Teams will continue monitoring his production through the rest of the NPB season while preparing presentations in case the posting process opens.
