Resurfaced pictures of Teruaki Sato wearing Tigers gear is already getting fans' hopes up

NPB Triple Crown winner Teruaki Sato might be the most desirable position player in an incredibly weak free agent market this offseason. The Hanshin Tigers reportedly agreed to post him to MLB earlier this month, and there is some belief he'll attempt to make quick work of his free agency and land with a team before the CBA expires on Dec. 1.

The Detroit Tigers could certainly use him. As a third baseman and outfielder, he would be an ideal replacement for Matt Vierling, their prime non-tender candidate. He's only 27 and, if he could be had on a Munetaka Murakami-esque contract, the Tigers may actually be willing to get in on that bidding.

Scott Harris has already proven that he can take us by surprise. No one expected the extent to which Detroit spent last year, so although all signs point to a quiet offseason, a little bit of light is still getting in.

Tigers fans' cautious excitement about the idea of landing Sato won't be helped by pictures of him from back in May, wearing a Detroit Tigers City Connect cap during a workout.

It might've just been a fun nod to his own Hanshin team and Detroit's sharing a name, but it's certainly a good look on him.

Old photos of Teruaki Sato wearing a Tigers cap will add more fuel to the fire of hopeful rumors

All of the usual suspects have been named potential players in Sato's market, but the way Murakami's market shook out last year leaves hope that anything could happen. Murakami was a four-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and a Triple Crown winner in Japan, but stateside fears that he wouldn't adjust well to major league pitching let the White Sox swoop in.

MLB teams have far more scouting information on Japanese players than fans do, and it's possible that anything looks like significant enough a yellow flag to keep the higher-spending teams at bay.

If it comes to a bidding war, the Tigers almost certainly won't engage, scarred as they seem to be from losing the Alex Bregman sweepstakes. They signed Framber Valdez last year because his market never really materialized.

It might be hoping against hope to wish not only that Sato will end up in the same boat, but that the Tigers will actually pony up the money. But if there's mutual interest when negotiations officially get underway, Detroit absolutely has to make a pitch.

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