On Thursday, I proposed some questions around the Toronto Blue Jays and their reported interest in Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato. 

Of course, I'm intrigued by the idea of Sato, who hit 39 homers and drove in 106 runs for the Hanshin Tigers in 2026. I'm especially intrigued when you consider that the Blue Jays finished last in the majors in runs scored and home runs during their 79-83 disappointing season.

My questions on Sato have nothing to do with money, or if he's a good lineup fit, and everything to do with how the Blue Jays will find a way to fit him in defensively considering Kazuma Okamoto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. already play first and third base. I question whether Sato can play the outfield every day and whether or not the Jays should even have three left-handed hitting outfielders (Brett Bateman, Addison Barger), and I question if anyone can move to designated hitter considering the presence of Anthony Santander.

But all that said, this next point is undeniable: Signing Teruaki Sato is good for more than just the 2027 Blue Jays, and that's important too.

Signing Sato would undoubtedly help the Blue Jays offense in 2027, even if the positional fit is clunky, but it would also help further establish a very important Japan-Toronto pipeline.

1) The Blue Jays played the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series, and while the Blue Jays lost, they did gain a lot of exposure in Japan as a result of playing Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

2) The Jays then turned that international momentum into a huge offseason that saw them sign Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Kazuma Okamoto - also of Japan.

3) Okamoto had lots of success and may win the American League Rookie of the Year award later this year. His presence on the roster continues to grow the Jays' presence in Japan. Signing Sato would only do that further. Both Okamoto and Sato played on Japan's World Baseball Classic team in 2026.

4) If the Blue Jays are able to land Sato, they are opening the door to more exposure and more future Blue Jays fans. More future Blue Jays access means more Japanese players will see Toronto as a viable playing option.

Being good on the field is the No. 1 way to gain popularity, but if the Jays sign Sato also, they will create those new fans. New fans buy merchandise, subscribe to TV packages, fly to Toronto and come spend money. That kind of thing goes a long way in building a truly global brand.