Jason Burgos
It looks like the New York Mets and New York Yankees are preparing for battle this winter over a new superstar emerging in Japan.
When it comes to top free agents in baseball, the Mets and Yankees are always in the running for any player they want. That includes international stars. Be it from the Caribbean or Asia, playing for one of New York’s pro baseball teams is a draw to any player in the world. Especially since both clubs can and will shell out big bucks for them.
Well, it looks like the two teams are looking at the same player, who happens to be Japan’s newest superstar. According to the Japanese baseball social account Yakyu Cosmopolitan, the Mets and Yankees are among the teams that were recently in attendance for a Hanshin Tigers game to get an up-close look at top star Teruaki Sato.
The other teams scouting the third baseman and outfielder were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers.
Why the NY Mets, NY Yankees, and 8 other teams are very interested in Teruaki Sato
Sato was a top prospect after playing for the amateur national team and Kindai University. While he showed off his legit power during his first few seasons — he averaged 33 doubles and 27 home runs in his first three years– his swing and miss rate was a major weakness as a hitter, according to Japanese baseball reporter Yuri Karasawa.
However, he had a breakthrough campaign for the Tigers last year. Posting a .277/.345/.579/.924 slashline, along with 40 homers, 34 doubles, 102 RBIs, and 83 runs. That would be enough to draw interest from MLB teams. However, after winning MVP honors in 2025, he has been a monster in 2026.
Over the Tigers’ first 43 games, he has an absurd .372/.454/.737/1.191 with 12 homers, 15 doubles, 35 RBIs, and 39 runs. He is quickly emerging as the country’s most talented player.
If there is one knock on him, it is his defense. While he has played right field during his career, he has primarily been at third base in recent seasons. However, he hasn’t just been serviceable at the less hot corner in Japan, and many baseball evaluators believe he is likely to end up at first base in the big leagues. Similar to recent Japanese import Munetaka Murakami.
The Chicago White Sox slugger has played at first base in his debut season and has shown many teams they were wrong by underestimating his talents as he has tallied 42 runs, 17 home runs, and 33 RBIs in his first 40 MLB games. Sato is similar to Murakami but has more upside as a pure hitter.
