Hanshin's Triple Crown winner wants to go to the majors, and the club has not said yes
Teruaki Sato's season ended in the Climax Series on Oct. 17. A club official says no decision has been made on his request.
Key points
- Sato hit .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs and won the Triple Crown, the ninth in NPB history, Daily Sports reported.
- Hanshin lost 8-5 to DeNA on Oct. 17 in Game 4 of the Central League Climax Series final stage, its fourth straight loss.
- A club official said Hanshin wants a quick decision for Sato's sake, but that nothing has been decided.
Teruaki Sato, 27, played what may have been his last game for Hanshin on Oct. 17. Back in the lineup after an injury, he had two hits in an 8-5 loss to DeNA at Koshien Stadium, the Tigers' fourth straight loss in the Central League Climax Series final stage. His last at-bat was a called third strike in the ninth inning.
Daily Sports led with the question rather than the game. Sato finished the year at .306 with 39 home runs and 106 RBIs, a Triple Crown that the paper counts as the ninth in NPB history. Executives from MLB clubs came to see him during the season.
Sato told the club two offseasons ago that he wants to try the majors, and this winter is the turning point. The paper reports that Hanshin may allow him to use the posting system, which would be a first for a Hanshin position player. A club official said: "That is a conversation for after everything is over. I hear a lockout may be possible. For the club and for his sake, we want to reach a conclusion quickly, but as of now nothing has been decided." MLB's current labor agreement expires Dec. 1. Without posting, the earliest Sato could reach international free agency is 2029, the year he turns 30.
Sato's own words were guarded. "It just ended, so I can't say anything yet," he said, and asked whether he still holds the dream, he answered, "Yes." He plans to talk with the club alongside his agent. Last winter's talks over salary and posting dragged on, and he signed on Jan. 30, the last of the 12 clubs to finish.
Original Japanese headlines
阪神・佐藤輝 メジャー挑戦今オフにもポスティング容認も 球団関係者「本人のためにも速やかに結論を」 復帰２安打も４連敗終戦
Daily Sports, Oct. 18, 2026
Our read
The Japanese reporting here is mostly about timing, not talent. A possible lockout, a club that took until Jan. 30 to settle last year's contract, and a player who has said he wants to go: all three point to a slow winter. What to watch is whether Hanshin gives a clear answer before the labor situation is settled.