LAS VEGAS — The Diamondbacks are expected to pursue slugger Teruaki Sato, a left-handed-hitting corner bat viewed as the best position player coming to the majors this winter from Japan’s top league, sources confirmed on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Sato, who will be 28 in March, has been a prodigious power hitter the past two seasons for the Hanshin Tigers. He won the Central League’s Triple Crown this year, hitting .306 with 39 homers and 106 RBIs. His production has come, however, with big strikeout totals, raising questions about how he will transition to the majors.
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Sato, whose profile has some similarities to that of White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami, figures to land a significant contract in part because of the success Murakami had in his first year in the big leagues.
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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a grand slam in the fifth inning at Chase Field during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees in Phoenix on Sept. 20, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a grand slam in the fifth inning at Chase Field during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees in Phoenix on Sept. 20, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) hits a double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Chase Field on July 19, 2026, in Phoenix.
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The Diamondbacks’ interest in Sato was first reported by The Athletic.
Sato primarily has been a third baseman and also has logged time in the outfield. The Diamondbacks are looking at Sato as a third baseman, a source said, which would push veteran Nolan Arenado to first base, a move Arenado is open to making.
Whether the Diamondbacks will be able to afford Sato remains to be seen. The club is expected to lower payroll from this year, in which they spent more than $200 million, a franchise record.
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However, managing general partner Ken Kendrick has surprised team officials by approving larger-than-expected expenditures at multiple points in his time as the team’s de facto owner. The Diamondbacks also are looking to unload second baseman Ketel Marte, who is set to earn $13.75 million next year.
Sato has been projected by some media outlets to command a five-year deal in excess of $100 million.
In theory, Sato could give the Diamondbacks a left-handed power presence in the heart of their lineup, a hitter who can help offset their struggles against right-handed pitching.
The organization has had only two Japanese-born players in its history, relievers Takashi Saito (2012) and Yoshihisa Hirano (2018-19).
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The Diamondbacks continue to engage in discussions about Marte. Though no trade is close, conversations are said to be more advanced than they typically are at this point in the offseason calendar, likely a result of the expected lockout at the end of the month.
Club sources are hoping they are able to finalize the Marte situation sooner than later, allowing them to address the rest of their needs after that.
In addition to Marte discussions, the Diamondbacks are receiving interest from rival clubs in their outfield depth, most notably outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt.
A team source said the club is not looking to move Waldschmidt and likely would only do so if the move made sense from a roster construction standpoint — namely, for a similarly aged starting pitcher or left-handed hitter who would help balance their lineup.
