Miguel Sano. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Former Twins All-Star heading to NPB for 2026 season

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 8:40 AM ET

As Major League Baseball’s offseason turns, some players aspiring to return to The Show are going overseas to Asia to refine their talents.

The latest player to take their talents overseas is former Minnesota Twins All-Star (2017) first/third baseman Miguel Sano, who is finalizing a contract with the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB, according to Latian Sports Reporter Francys Romero. The deal is reportedly one year and worth $1.3 million.

According to Romero, the 32-year-old is wrapping up an MVP season with the Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Winter League, hitting .315 with nine home runs and 25 RBI.

In his nine-year career with the Twins and the Los Angeles Angels, Sano was a career .233 hitter with an OPS of .801 and 164 home runs.

Sources: Miguel Sanó is finalizing a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Chunichi Dragons for the 2026 NPB season.

The deal is pending a physical.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 14, 2025

32*.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 14, 2025

Miguel Sano is one of many MLB veterans hoping to return to The Show

Sano, sadly, is at the point in his career where he has prior MLB experience, but is just not good enough to make a team's roster. Sano hasn't played in a big league game since 2024 (28 games with the Angels).

The NPB has a track record of offering players high-level competition and allowing experienced players like Sano to refine what he needs to get back to the big leagues. Sano has shown quality power (hitting 30+ home runs twice), but like many power hitters he is susceptible to striking out, having done so 130+ times a season on four times occasions.

If Sano finds success, perhaps he could find his way back to MLB as a power bat off the bench.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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