New Mets Rumors on Teruaki Sato Reveal David Stearns' Scouting Trip After MLB Season

With Teruaki Sato set to be arguably the most sought-after position player in free agency, the New York Mets look like a team to monitor for the Japanese star.

Per Chelsea Janes of SNY, president of baseball operations David Stearns went to Japan "as soon as the Mets' season ended" specifically to watch the Sato play for the Hanshin Tigers.

"You don't make that trip if you aren't seriously considering making a push for him," Janes wrote.

Hanshin announced on Oct. 19 that Sato would be posted for MLB teams this offseason. The 27-year-old is not subject to international free-agent rules, giving him a 45-day window to negotiate a deal without financial restrictions with all 30 MLB clubs after he is posted.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand ranked Sato as the top position player and No. 4 overall free agent in the upcoming class, behind Tarik Skubal, Michael King and Freddy Peralta.

According to Feinsand, Sato has drawn comparisons to Munetaka Murakami thanks to his prodigious power and high strikeout totals. He has hit 79 homers and struck out 327 times in 1,211 plate appearances over the past two seasons in NPB.

Murakami came to MLB with big questions about his ability to make contact, which likely led to him signing a lower-than-expected deal with the Chicago White Sox for $34 million over two years.

The strikeout issues for Murakami weren't proven wrong with 196 in 553 plate appearances this season, but he also walked enough to post a .347 on-base percentage and slugged 35 homers to help the White Sox make a surprise playoff appearance.

Sato figures to benefit from Murakami's success, as well as being arguably the best power bat available in a soft free-agent class. Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki, Jake Bauers and Brandon Lowe are the other notable position players who can hit the market.

Stearns is already under an intense microscope from fans in Queens after the Mets missed the playoffs for the second consecutive seasons. Their 74-88 record this year was their worst in a 162-game season since 2017 (70-92).

After having the highest payroll in MLB in 2026, the Mets aren't going to get much contract relief unless they make some trades. Bo Bichette and Chris Devenski are their only potential free agents.

Bo Bichette could opt out of his deal worth $42 million in 2027, but his struggles this season would seem to make it unlikely he decides to test the market this offseason, particularly given the labor uncertainty with the current CBA set to expire on Dec. 1.

Mets owner Steve Cohen has not shied away from aggressively spending in the interest of improving the roster.

If Cohen believes Sato can be a difference-maker that gets them back to being competitive in the NL East, it wouldn't be a surprise if the five-time NPB All-Star signs with the Mets.