Miguel Sanó Finds a New Chapter in Japan

[Cody Christie]

Miguel Sanó is headed back to professional relevance, even if it comes on the other side of the world. According to Francys Romero, the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball are finalizing a one-year deal with the former Minnesota Twins slugger, pending a physical. For a player who has spent the last few seasons bouncing on and off the margins of Major League rosters, this represents both a reset and a reward.

Sanó has not appeared in a regular-season Major League game since being released by the Angels in July of 2024. Since then, he has returned home to the Dominican Republic, quietly rebuilding his value in winter ball. The results have been impossible to ignore. Across the most recent Dominican league season, Sanó slashed .315/.376/.663 (1.039) with nine home runs in just 24 games. That performance followed an .856 OPS campaign the previous winter, making this less of a fluke and more of a trend.

For Twins fans, Sanó will always be a complicated figure. Signed as a teenager with generational power, he reached the big leagues quickly and delivered on that promise in bursts. He was an All-Star, posted multiple 30 home run seasons, and helped anchor lineups that regularly finished near the top of the American League in power. In just under 3,000 career plate appearances, Sanó launched 164 home runs and produced a .233/.325/.477 (.802) line with a 115 OPS+.

The problem was never talent. Injuries derailed multiple seasons, strikeouts piled up at record-setting rates, and defensive limitations narrowed his paths to playing time. After an above-average showing in 2021, Sanó became a fringe option, appearing in just 48 total games between the Twins and Angels from 2022 through 2024. His last stint in the majors came in 28 games with Los Angeles.

If that proves to be his final Major League chapter, Sanó still walks away with a respectable career résumé. But players do not sign seven-figure deals overseas because they are finished. They do it because someone still believes the bat can play. In this case, that belief was earned through dominance against professional pitching, not nostalgia.

Nippon Professional Baseball has become a viable bridge back to MLB relevance for power hitters willing to adjust and prove themselves again. Sanó will be tested by a different pitching style and a more demanding daily routine. If the power carries over, the conversation changes quickly.

Is a return to the big leagues likely? Probably not. But Miguel Sanó has made a career out of defying neat timelines. As long as the ball keeps leaving the yard, never say never.

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[old nurse]

Good luck for him. It is a step up from the KBO, though he could be placed in the JPL minor league 

[gman]

I wish him the best. I hope he finds his discipline and focus.

[big dog]

I hope Miggy does great, makes some money, and is beloved. Maybe he can play there several years. Not the outcome he hoped for at 16, but a lot better than most guys. 

Edited December 17, 2025 by big dog

[dxpavelka]

I'll say it again:  The most entertaining player to wear a TC on his hat since a guy named Kirby.  Every at bat was MUST SEE. 

[DocBauer]

Good for him. Hope this means he still loves the game. But even if he does really well, considering age, I'm not sure this is a ticket back to MLB.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I can't believe Sano's only 32.

[David HK]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

I can't believe Sano's only 32.

"32."  (Those are air-quotes, btw).

[jmlease1]

It's the smart play for him. He's not going to get an MLB deal off of winter league showings. 

[Parfigliano]

13 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Good for him. Hope this means he still loves the game. But even if he does really well, considering age, I'm not sure this is a ticket back to MLB.

I'd be shocked if it leads back to MLB.