New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faces a familiar offseason challenge at third base, where Ryan McMahon struggled through 2026, but one insider doubts the club will make a strong push for Japanese free agent Teruaki Sato.
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, in a mailbag published Thursday, said the Yankees need an upgrade at the position.
“The Yankees need an upgrade at third base, as Ryan McMahon should no longer start,” Kirschner wrote. “But I have a hard time believing they will aggressively pursue Sato.”
Sato, the 27-year-old left-handed hitting third baseman for the Hanshin Tigers, won the Central League Triple Crown in 2026. He hit .306 with a .383 on-base percentage, .609 slugging percentage and .991 OPS across 143 games, according to official Nippon Professional Baseball statistics.
The slugger finished with 39 home runs, 40 doubles, three triples and 106 RBIs. He also scored 100 runs and stole eight bases while striking out 164 times.
Kirschner noted concerns about Sato’s defensive fit in the majors.
“His MLB position isn’t settled,” the reporter wrote. “He graded out negatively at third base, and some scouts believe he’ll have to play corner outfield or first base in the majors. If he can’t play third base, the Yankees don’t really have a fit for him.”
Reports from NPB outlets indicated Sato committed 18 or 19 errors at third base in 2026 after posting a stronger defensive season the previous year, when he won a Golden Glove. He has experience in right field as well.
Kirschner added that Sato’s offensive profile falls short of fellow Japanese import Munetaka Murakami in terms of upside.
“Sato doesn’t have Murakami’s offensive ceiling, but he should still be an above-average hitter in MLB,” Kirschner wrote. “However, with his defense at third a negative, I don’t think the Yankees are the best fit.”
McMahon, acquired from the Colorado Rockies in a 2025 deadline deal, hit .213 with a .279 on-base percentage, .357 slugging percentage, 11 home runs and 41 RBIs in 124 games for the Yankees this season, according to Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs data. His OPS sat around .635.
Sato’s power numbers would represent a clear upgrade over McMahon’s production if they translate, particularly at Yankee Stadium, where left-handed power has historically played well. Yet the high strikeout rate — 26.7 percent in 2026 — remains a noted risk for evaluators.
The Hanshin Tigers have already approved Sato’s posting request, opening a roughly 45-day window for MLB clubs to negotiate with the player and his representatives. Multiple teams, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets and Phillies, have been linked to him in reporting throughout the fall.
Yankees officials have not publicly commented on Sato specifically this offseason. Cashman’s front office has prioritized roster flexibility and has been selective with large free-agent commitments in recent winters.
Sato will turn 28 in March 2027, placing him in his prime years should he reach a multi-year deal in the majors. His combination of power and on-base skills stands out in a free-agent market thin on impact bats.
Whether the Yankees view him as a primary third baseman or a versatile corner piece will likely determine their level of interest. Scouts remain divided on his long-term defensive home.
The club’s third-base situation has been unsettled for multiple seasons, with McMahon providing only modest defensive value and limited offense in his time in the Bronx. Replacing that production remains a clear organizational need heading into 2027.
Projections for Sato’s contract vary widely, with some analysts forecasting deals in the range of $75 million to $120 million or higher over multiple seasons, depending on the market. The Yankees’ willingness to meet those figures remains uncertain given their existing payroll structure.
For now, Sato’s destination is unsettled as the offseason progresses, and Kirschner’s assessment suggests New York may not lead the bidding if defensive concerns persist.
