Phillies' Teruaki Sato Rumors Feature One Major Caveat

The Philadelphia Phillies are widely viewed as one of the top potential suitors for Japanese star Teruaki Sato this winter, and understandably so.

The Phillies need power, and Sato brings it. They also need a third baseman, and that is Sato's position.

The question, though, is whether or not Sato will play the hot corner on the MLB level.

Remember: Munetaka Murakami played third base in Japan before arriving in America and having his position switched to first base by the Chicago White Sox.

Murakami wasn't a very good defender at third, so the White Sox felt they could get the most out of him by moving him to the other infield corner.

There have been rumblings that the very same thing could happen with Sato, who some scouts view as an awful fit at third base.

Now, Dave Dombrowski has never been one to value defense too heavily, but that has absolutely been to Philadelphia's detriment. Is offense generally more important? Yes, but you can't have a bunch of guys with stone gloves at every spot.

It's entirely possible that Sato will have to move over to first base when he makes the jump to the States, which could rule the Phillies out entirely.

Philadelphia played Alec Bohm at first down the stretch in 2026 after acquiring Luis Arraez at the MLB trade deadline, which shifted Bryson Stott over to the hot corner and, in turn, Bohm over to first. It also resulted in Bryce Harper moving back to right field.

Playing Harper in the outfield is something the Phillies categorically want to avoid in 2027, and with Arraez and Bohm both on the open market, Philadelphia can comfortably prepare for Harper to head back to first base.

That is, of course, unless the Phils sign Sato, which would threaten Harper's job once again.

The general consensus is that even if Sato plays third base upon joining the big leagues, he won't be long for the position. So first base and/or designated hitter is likely in his future.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, both of those spots are clogged by Harper and Kyle Schwarber, the latter of whom has no business ever picking up a glove again (even though Philadelphia plans on playing him at first base a bit next season).

Now, in theory, the Phillies could sign Sato, stick him at third and then use him as the backup first baseman when Harper rests. That would allow Philadelphia to keep Schwarber away from the diamond. But can Philly trust Sato at third base for 130 games?

Considering that Sato is expected to land a very lucrative long-term contract, it's a question the Phillies must ask themselves before making a serious push for the 27-year-old slugger. And it could ultimately put the kibosh on the Sato pursuit altogether.