Dodgers Rumors: LA reportedly in the mix for Japanese MVP infielder

While the Los Angeles Dodgers were not at the forefront of the bidding wars for Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto last offseason, the trend has been for LA to be all over the talent making the jump from overseas to Major League Baseball.

The success of Murakami and Okamoto is one of the reasons why Teruaki Sato is likely to have a healthy market this winter. Currently playing with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan, Sato is expected to seek an opportunity with a MLB team this winter.

Organizations already have Sato on their radar, and the New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers are among those expected to have interest. The MLB insider also mentions the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies as interested teams.

Sato has posted prolific power numbers in Japan. Through 438 plate appearances this season, he's slashing .317/.404/.622 with a wRC+ of 205. He has 27 home runs through 103 games. He's eclipsed 20 home runs in a year during five of his six professional seasons. Last year, he hit 40.

For the seasons they are having, Murakami and Okamoto signed modest deals during free agency last winter. Murakami inked a two-year deal with the Chicago White Sox worth $34 million, and Okamaoto has a four-year pact with the Toronto Blue Jays worth $60 million.

Dodgers could be playing chess with rumored Teruaki Sato interest

Safe to say, Sato, 27, is positioned to top each of those deals. The Dodgers are never the team to turn away from talent, and that is likely the primary reason for their interest in Sato. Not to mention, the natural connection they have with players making the jump from Japan.

Sato as a third baseman by reputation, but he has some experience in the outfield. As was the case with Murakami, there's an expectation that he will slide over to first base once he signs with the a team.

That makes the positional fit with the Dodgers murky at best. Max Muncy is under control through the 2027 season, and has a club option for 2028. Freddie Freeman's contract runs through next season. Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker are also anchored into the corner outfield spots next year.

Perhaps this is a case of the Dodgers not being worried about Sato's fit next season, and simply being proactive by adding a future replacement to Muncy or Freeman, Or, as is mostly what winds up happening, this is another example of the Dodgers lurking in the background, just in case Sato's market craters. Regardless, this is something to file away until the offseason.

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