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By Andrew Gould
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The New York Yankees could reload after another premature postseason exit. One writer suggested they look overseas to bolster their lineup.
ESPN's David Schoenfield identified the Yankees as the best fit for Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato. The Hanshin Tigers are posting the third baseman after he batted .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs this season.
Despite his defensive limitations and elevated strikeout risk, Schoenfield can see the Bronx Bombers chasing another big bopper.
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"Sato is hardly a perfect fit for the Yankees -- Ryan McMahon is signed for one more year at $16 million and Sato would add another high-strikeout bat to the lineup, plus a right-handed batter might be a better fit -- but general manager Brian Cashman loves power," Schoenfield wrote. "Plus, McMahon was wretched at the plate in 2026. A power-hitting trio of Ben Rice, Aaron Judge and Sato could provide 120-plus home runs."
Schoenfield named the Seattle Mariners as another potential fit. Their third basemen ranked last in OPS this season, and an underwhelming lineup could lose free-agent outfielder Randy Arozarena.
The Yankees probably couldn't move Sato to first base with Rice and Luis Garcia Jr. returning in 2027, and Judge will return to the outfield alongside Cody Bellinger and Spencer Jones. But despite his reliable defense, McMahon may lose his starting spot at the hot corner after posting a .635 OPS.
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However, The Athletic's Chris Kirschner is still skeptical the Yankees will put Sato high up their offseason wish list.
"The Yankees need an upgrade at third base, as Ryan McMahon should no longer start. But I have a hard time believing they will aggressively pursue Sato," Kirschner wrote. "His MLB position isn’t settled. He graded out negatively at third base, and some scouts believe he’ll have to play corner outfield or first base in the majors. If he can’t play third base, the Yankees don’t really have a fit for him."
Meanwhile, The Athletic's Jim Bowden anticipated a "big-market bidding war" for Sato. The insider chose the Yankees and Red Sox as his best fits but added the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels as teams that could pursue the 27-year-old.
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