Teruaki Sato: Phillies’ Potential Answer to Alec Bohm’s Infield Vacancy

The Phils reportedly have dispatched scouts to assess Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers. (Photo by Sports Nippon/Getty Images)

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Alec Bohm’s tenure with the Phillies is nearing its conclusion. As the team’s primary third baseman for seven seasons, Bohm has played over 700 games at the position since his 2020 callup. He will almost certainly enter free agency this offseason and sign with another team, creating a significant gap in the Phillies’ infield that requires immediate attention.

The primary question for the Phillies is: Who will replace Alec Bohm at third base next season?

One potential solution is Teruaki Sato. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Phillies have shown interest in the 27-year-old Japanese slugger of the Hanshin Tigers. Reports indicate the team has sent scouts to evaluate Sato ahead of his expected move from Nippon Professional Baseball.

Sato has established himself as one of the most prolific hitters in NPB, with 40 home runs, 102 runs batted in, and an MVP award in 2025. Through 103 games this season, he’s batting .315 with 27 home runs and a 1.026 OPS – demonstrating his current form as a high-impact player.

Consider this: A 2025 exhibition game highlight where Sato powerfully struck out Blake Snell – a moment that has now become a tangible possibility for Phillies fans hoping for his arrival.

However, there’s a history of challenges in securing Japanese talent. The Phillies have only signed one professional Japanese player: pitcher Koyo Aoyagi, who signed a minor-league contract in January 2025 but was later released after six months without making a major league appearance.

This potential move could also address past missteps like the Phillies’ offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which was surpassed by the Dodgers’ historic $325 million deal. Meanwhile, the organization’s top prospect at third base, Aidan Miller, has been sidelined by a chronic back condition that has erased his 2026 season prospects.

Bryson Stott could serve as an in-house alternative, having transitioned to third base during the Phillies’ infield adjustments to accommodate Luis Arraez. However, Arraez’s status as a free agent after the season introduces uncertainty, leaving the Phillies with a pressing need to address the infield shortage through acquiring Sato or another viable option.

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