Wednesday, November 11, 2026
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The Philadelphia Phillies have several needs heading into the 2027 season, with right field, third base, and relief pitching as the three main areas to address.
With reports from evaluators that Teruaki Sato is potentially a better right fielder than third baseman, he could be an even more intriguing offseason target for the Phillies.
The Japanese star has primarily played third base with the Hanshin Tigers over the last three seasons, but according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, multiple evaluators believe his long-term defensive home could actually be right field.
One scout believes Sato can stay at third base with work, noting that he has played corner outfield before and runs well enough to handle it.
Last season, Sato appeared in just 18 games in the outfield, with the majority of his time being in right field. He was primarily the everyday third baseman, logging 125 games at third base. In 2025, he played 27 games in the outfield for the Tigers after strictly manning the hot corner from 2023-24.
However, he started his professional career as an outfielder, playing in 224 games at the position compared to 89 at third base.
So the versatility and experience are there, but the bigger question is what position teams, including the Phillies, see him as more valuable at. Sato’s contract will likely be dictated by which position teams, including the Phillies, believe he can play consistently.
If other potential suitors view him as a possible reliable third baseman, that could elevate his price and market, creating a bidding war between not only the Phillies but other heavy hitters including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The bat isn’t much of a concern for Sato.
He won the Central League MVP in 2025 and followed that up with Japan’s Triple Crown in 2026 in the Nippon Professional Baseball League after slashing .306/.383/.609 with a .991 OPS to go with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs.
The downside for the Phillies is that Sato is another left-handed bat that would be added to the lineup.
Either way, the Phillies need help at both corner spots on the field, particularly in right field with Bryce Harper expected to return to first base.
It appears Aidan Miller will get a runway to prove he can win the starting third base job during Spring Training. Even if Miller doesn’t win the job in the spring, Sato’s versatility could allow Dave Dombrowski to get creative.
The Phillies could ink Sato to a multi-year deal, have him play third base until Miller forces his way to the bigs, and sign a cost-effective right fielder. It would be a move much to the chagrin of the fans who are tired of seeing the team bargain hunt for a right fielder over the years.
But, by doing so, the benefit is that Philadelphia could acquire one player capable of addressing two positions over the course of the contract. That flexibility could prevent the Phillies from having to commit significant long-term money to both positions.
Sato was posted last Monday, starting a 45-day window for teams to negotiate with the slugger. However, because of the impending Dec. 1 lockout, teams will need to make an offer sooner than that.
The Phillies have several needs to address this offseason and finding solutions at both third base and right field won’t be easy. Sato presents an opportunity to address both without committing significant resources to multiple long-term contracts.
His defensive versatility, combined with a strong offensive profile, makes him one of the more intriguing targets in what is otherwise a relatively shallow free-agent class.
Historically, the Phillies have not landed a premier Japanese talent. Making a compelling pitch to persuade Sato to come to the City of Brotherly Love will be challenging when going up against other teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers, who have been able to land some of the top Japanese talent over the last two decades.
But if the Phillies are serious about improving their roster during this window, Sato is a player who should be firmly on their radar.
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