(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan celebrates after hitting a two-run double to defeat Team Mexico 6-5 in the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023 in Miami.
One of the big names to hit the MLB free-agent market this upcoming winter is said to be high on the Yankees‘ list of potential targets, and could warrant a deal in excess of $200 million. That’s conjecture at this point, of course, but it does appear that corner infielder Munetaka Murakami is a name worth remembering as the Bombers make their winter plans.
This week in Japan, Nikkan Sports ran a cover page story on Murakami claiming that he will warrant a deal worth more than 29 billion yen, or $200 million. According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan, which covers Japanese baseball in English, Nikkan reports that the Mets, Yankees, Phillies and Mariners are interested. And MLB.com suggests those teams, “could make a big push for Murakami.”
MLB.com also adds that, the Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox “could also be in the mix” though the level of interest there could rely upon where each team views him to fit best, positionally.
Yankees Could Need a First Baseman
Murakami has primarily played third base in Japan’s NPB, though he has significant experience playing first base, too. That would interest the Yankees, who saw their Paul Goldschmidt experiment fizzle out after signing him to a one-year contract last winter. Goldschmidt hit .274 last year, but did not provide nearly enough power (10 homers) to justify his 100 strikeouts against just 36 walks.
The Yankees are hoping that Ben Rice can be their every day first baseman, but there are serious questions about whether he can handle the position full-time.
Munetaka Murakami Hit 24 HRs Despite 2025 Injuries
There are questions about Murakami, too. He is a four-time All-Star at age 25, and a two-time MVP who will be posted by his club, the Yakult Swallows, for next season. That’s not really in question–when Murakami signed a contract three years ago, it was always the plan to allow him to leave for MLB this offseason.
He struggled with injuries to his elbow and oblique this season, but in 69 games, Murakami still belted 24 homers and hit .286. His power dipped a bit in 2023 (31 homers) and 2024 (33 homers), but he hit .318 with 56 homers and 134 RBIs in 2022.
But while pitching usually translates from Japan to the U.S., power hitting usually does not. That question, combined with Murakami’s strikeout numbers–180 in 500 at-bats in 2024–will give teams some pause before throwing too much at Murakami.
Munetaka Murakami ‘Most-Hyped’ Since Ohtani?
Still, he is a free agent who will attract attention from major-market teams. The Mets, for example, drew attention when David Stearns went to scout Murakami personally this summer. Murakami hit a two-run walk-off home run that day.
He will be near the top of most teams’ lists.
As Bleacher Report noted, “It can be argued that Murakami is the most-hyped Japanese hitter to come over since former Los Angeles Angels and current Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani did so in 2018. Assuming Murakami is posted during the offseason as expected, he will be perhaps the top position player available in free agency aside from current Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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