Teruaki Sato’s Future in Question? Contract Negotiations With Other Teams Reportedly Moving Forward Behind Closed Doors

10 MLB teams are watching closely

Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato (27), who has been selected to the “Mainichi All-Star Game” for the fifth time and second consecutive year through fan voting (third baseman category), is reportedly engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations and maneuvering over a possible move to Major League Baseball.

In the July 7 game against the Yomiuri Giants, he recorded 50 RBIs for the sixth consecutive year since his rookie season, setting a new franchise record. Looking across the entire league, he became the seventh player since the introduction of the draft system to achieve the feat, following the likes of Tatsunori Hara (67), Kazuhiro Kiyohara (58), and Yoshinobu Takahashi (51).

“Although he has 16 home runs, six fewer than his rival Shota Morishita (25), he remains at the top of the league in both batting average and RBIs. He began to struggle after interleague play, and from June 30 to July 5 he remained in a slump, batting in the .200 range. But Teru is a player who performs well during the summer. He should be able to raise his level from here. Winning the batting Triple Crown would not be an unrealistic dream—he could become the first Hanshin player to achieve it since Randy Bass (72).”
—A former team member

However, what Sato is dreaming of is likely not a Triple Crown in NPB, but a move to Major League Baseball.

“He has already signed with an agent. It is said that the agent influenced his firm stance last offseason when he continued to ask the team to approve a posting-system transfer. Sato himself delayed contract renewal negotiations and eventually had to provide explanations to the media. There were even signs that he might attend spring training at his own expense, but an agreement was finally reached at the end of January and he signed a contract. However, the issue was merely postponed.

Even after the start of the season, whenever Sato travels to Tokyo for away games, he reportedly meets with his agent and holds repeated discussions about his market value and the transfer market. Around 10 teams, including the Dodgers and Yankees, are already watching him closely, and he is highly motivated. Around the time of the first All-Star Game on July 28 at Tokyo Dome, Sato’s agent is expected to meet with the team and begin preliminary negotiations toward gaining approval for a posting-system move.”
—Sports newspaper Hanshin beat reporter

Not only the team’s front office but also the parent company are determined to prevent Sato from leaving, and it is said that they will not approve a transfer until he obtains overseas free-agent rights in 2029. However,

“Everything depends on the development of Masahiro Tateishi (22), the first-round draft rookie who is considered the candidate to take over at third base. Tateishi was promoted to the first team on May 19 and recorded his first professional hit, home run, and RBI. However, during interleague play, he struggled against Pacific League pitchers, his batting deteriorated, and he was sent back to the farm team for further adjustment. The sooner Tateishi becomes a successful player, the sooner Teru’s transfer could happen.”
—A team source

To make his dream come true, Sato must first become the driving force behind what would be the first consecutive league championships in the history of the franchise.