Japanese star Teruaki Sato gets posted early in MLB free agency intrigue

Hanshin Tigers third baseman Teruaki Sato will officially be made available to Major League Baseball teams via the posting system. Tigers general manager Satoshi Shimamura confirmed the decision, granting MLB clubs a 45-day window to negotiate a permanent contract with the Japanese star. The 27-year-old plans to travel to the United States in November to hold meetings with interested franchises ahead of the December 1 collective bargaining agreement expiration.

Sato recently captured the Nippon Professional Baseball triple crown after hitting .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs. The left-handed slugger is expected to attract widespread interest across MLB, with teams such as the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly monitoring him as an option at third base or first base.