Home / Sports / Pirates Eye NPB Star Sato for 2027 Lineup Boost
Pirates Eye NPB Star Sato for 2027 Lineup Boost
20 Oct
Summary
- Japanese star Teruaki Sato will be posted this winter for MLB teams.
- Sato offers a defensive upgrade and power at third base for the Pirates.
- Pirates have a $100 million payroll projection for potential new additions.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are considering a significant move to bolster their lineup for the 2027 season by targeting Japanese star Teruaki Sato. Sato, who plays for the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball, will be made available to MLB teams this winter via the posting system.
Sato presents a solution for the Pirates' long-standing third base issues. He has extensive experience at the position, having played over 593 games there since 2021, and won a Golden Glove Award in 2025 for his defense. This contrasts sharply with the Pirates' 2026 third baseman, who struggled defensively despite offensive contributions.
Offensively, Sato would be a massive upgrade, bringing power and consistent hitting. He recently won the Triple Crown in NPB for 2026, leading the league with a .306 batting average, 39 home runs, and 106 RBI. His 2025 season earned him the Central League MVP award. Sato's power alone would double the home run output of the Pirates' previous third baseman.
The Pirates have a projected $100 million payroll, suggesting they could afford to pursue Sato, who would represent a major international free agent signing for the team. Previous attempts to sign top Japanese talent, like Kazuma Okamoto, have been unsuccessful, but Sato could signal a strong commitment to building a competitive team for 2027.
