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Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is the latest Japanese superstar to make his way over to the United States and have success. With multiple teams regretting not signing him for this season, it appears clubs are hoping to make up for it in MLB free agency this coming winter. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporters that the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers have all been linked to Nippon Professional Baseball star Teruaki Sato. The veteran slugger is expected to be posted for bidding this winter by the Hanshin Tigers. There figures to be an intense bidding war for Sato’s services once he is officially posted. Under the MLB posting system for players from Japan’s NPB, all 30 major-league clubs would have a 45-day window to negotiate with Sato’s camp once he is posted. Given the contract he receives will likely exceed $50-plus million total, the posting fee to be paid would be 20 percent of the first $25 million plus another 17.5 percent of the next $25 million ($45 million total) and then 15 percent of any guarantees exceeding $50 million. However, with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire in December, it’s very likely that Hanshin holds off until there’s more clarity on what they would receive for posting him. The Dodgers might seemingly have a slight edge because of the number of Japanese-born players on their roster. However, the Phillies and Mets will likely be in more dire need of support for their lineup come this offseason which could lead to New York and Philadelphia outbidding whatever Los Angeles is willing to put on the table. Who is Teruaki Sato? Sato, who turns 28 in March, is the reigning Central League MVP and one of the best baseball players in Japan. Last year, he earned the Central League’s MVP, Golden Glove Award and received the Best Nine Award (equivalent of All-MLB First Team). Remarkably, the left-handed hitter has been even better this season for the Tigers. - Teruaki Sato stats 2026: .315/.399/.622, 1.021 OPS, 28 home runs, 78 RBI, 30 doubles, 5 steals in 451 plate appearances A four-time NPB All-Star selection, Sato has increased his walk rate (9.5 percent to 12.4 percent) year-to-year, lowered his strikeout rate (27.3 percent to 26.4 percent) and boasts career-bests in batting average (.315), OBP (.319), wRC+ (204) and slugging (.621) to deliver a 1.000-plus OPS for the first time in his pro career. Sato did win the Gold Glove Award last season at third base, but his likeliest long-term position in MLB is first base. That’s a glaring need for the Mets following last offseason’s departure of Pete Alonso. If Sato were to sign with the Phillies or Dodgers, it’s possible they could deploy him at third base and take the hit defensively. Alternatively, Philadelphia could keep Bryce Harper in right field to open up first base for Sato, but that seems unlikely given the club’s desires to preserve Harper’s long-term durability.