It’ll be back to the drawing board for President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and the New York Mets this winter as they look to retool this roster in hopes of returning to the postseason in 2027. Based on reports, the Mets are already putting a plan in place to fill the hole at a key position for next season and beyond.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets have been scouting Japanese star Teruaki Sato as they look to find a solution for their first base problem. Though Sato has been playing third base for the Hanshin Tigers in the NPB, his defense at the position has been described as “questionable” by scouts.
Sato’s bat, however, is drawing interest from multiple MLB teams, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees joining the Mets in the pursuit of the 27-year-old.
Assuming the Mets’ current third baseman Bo Bichette will opt into his contract for next year, the area of focus in the infield shifts to first base. Free agent acquisition Jorge Polanco was signed to man that first base slot after the departure of Pete Alonso, but injuries and poor production have indicated that a change needs to be made by the start of 2027. Sato could provide just that.
Across the Pacific in the NPB this season, Sato is enjoying his best year from the plate since debuting in the league in 2021. He’s slashing .318.404/.622 with a 1.026 OPS in 378 at-bats. Though he has historically been a player who strikes out at a high rate, Sato has lessened the blow of those struggles by drawing more walks this year.
Sato’s power is the obvious attention-grabber, smashing 27 home runs so far this season after reaching the 40-mark in 2025. With serious pop in his bat and a shaky defensive profile at third base, a future at first base is a real possibility for Sato. If he’s open to the idea, the Mets will likely be able to offer the Japanese star the best contract.
Adding a four-time NPB All-Star and the 2025 Central League MVP to the Mets’ roster would instantly be a plus to what they’ve been fielding at first base this season. Bringing that power bat back to the first base position would be a relief for New York, who are still dealing with the effects of losing Alonso last winter.
I’d expect owner Steve Cohen and the Mets to be aggressive yet again this offseason, desperate to flip the narrative for the club after a hugely disappointing campaign. Reaching the NLCS just a couple of years ago, a return to the postseason is a must for New York in 2027. The potential signing of Sato would surely be a step in that direction.