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Phillies show interest in superstar Japanese third baseman as potential Alec Bohm replacement

Teruaki Sato is the most interesting player set to be posted by an NPB club this off-season. He's an almost perfect fit for Philadelphia.

By Ben Silver · That Balls Outta Here

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 4:59 PM

Key Things to Know

The Phillies are scouting Japanese third baseman Teruaki Sato as a potential replacement for Alec Bohm.
A potential contract via the NPB posting system is projected at $15 million to $17 million annually.
Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly previously traveled to Japan to scout Sato in May.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in Japanese third baseman Teruaki Sato as a possible replacement for impending free agent Alec Bohm. According to a Yahoo Japan report, Philadelphia scouts attended Sato's Hanshin Tigers playoff game on October 17. The visit followed an earlier scouting trip to Japan by Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly in May.

Sato won the NPB Triple Crown in 2026 after hitting 39 home runs with 106 RBIs and a .306 batting average. Evaluators expect the Tigers to post Sato this offseason, with his potential contract projected to carry an average annual value between $15 million and $17 million.

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Phillies show interest in superstar Japanese third baseman as potential Alec Bohm replacement

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