Diamondbacks Notes: Sato, Rotation, Marte

The Diamondbacks are known to be reducing payroll from 2026’s franchise-record levels as they head into the 2027 season, but they’re still keeping tabs on some big names. Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic report that Arizona has done its due diligence on Nippon Professional Baseball star Teruaki Sato, who is available to MLB clubs after being posted by NPB’s Hanshin Tigers.

Sato, 27, is the reigning Triple Crown winner in NPB. He belted 39 home runs this past season (and hit 40 in 2025) while slashing .303/.386/.609 in 614 plate appearances. It’s the most productive season of Sato’s career. He’s steadily improved throughout his 20s in NPB, debuting with a slightly…