Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami is expected to be posted for Major League teams this offseason, with many suitors coming his way for his services.
Per MLB insider Mark Feinsand, the New York Yankees are expected to pursue the star third baseman. Murakami is one of the best hitters available this offseason, and has enjoyed a historic career in eight seasons in Japan.
Murakami has smashed 265 home runs during his time in Japan, slashing .273/.394/.550. In 2022, he hit 56 home runs and had 134 RBIs while slashing .318/.458/.710.
Murakami helped bring himself worldwide attention during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, as he was part of Team Japan which won the tournament. During the Semifinals against Mexico, Murakami hit a walk-off two-run double to send Japan to the Finals, where they’d beat Team USA by a score of 3-2. Murakami hit a home run off of Merrill Kelly in the win.
Should the Yankees pursue Murakami, it remains to be seen how they would utilize him. Ryan McMahon is already patrolling third base for the foreseeable future, and there isn’t any indication that designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is going anywhere anytime soon. Nonetheless, adding Murakami would give the Yankees a tremendous power boost to an already deep lineup, and his swing could be a perfect fit in Yankee Stadium.
AloJapan.com