What happened: The Hanshin Tigers have officially posted slugger Teruaki Sato for Major League Baseball clubs this offseason. Sato, who won the Central League Triple Crown in 2026, plans to make the transition to North America after Hanshin previously agreed to post him for MLB clubs.

Why it matters: Sato enters the market as one of the most accomplished Japanese hitters to make the jump, having captured consecutive home run titles in Nippon Professional Baseball. His availability injects a premier middle-of-the-order power bat into the winter market as multiple contenders look to upgrade their lineups.

What to watch: MLB clubs will have a 45-day negotiating window to reach an agreement with Sato once his posting is officially finalized. If a deal is completed, his signing team will pay a release fee to Hanshin based on the contract's total guarantee.