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The New York Mets appear poised to further invest in the Japanese market, with David Stearns leading the effort firsthand. The Mets’ president of baseball operations was seen outside Meiji Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday, home of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, evaluating standout corner infielder Munetaka Murakami.
SNY’s Danny Abriano confirmed Stearns observed Murakami face the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and the slugger lived up to expectations, hitting a walk-off two-run home run with MLB scouts watching.
Murakami, 24, has been Japan’s premier power hitter for years. A four-time All-Star, he topped the Central League in home runs in 2021 and 2022, earning MVP honors both seasons. His 2022 season was historic—a Triple Crown year in which he hit .318/.458/.710 with 56 home runs and 134 RBI. Even in years when his average dropped, Murakami easily surpassed 30 home runs.
Stearns Looking for the Next Senga-Like Win
For the Mets, this isn’t unfamiliar territory. They already have a Japanese star in Kodai Senga, whose arrival in Queens gave the team a major boost in credibility overseas. Adding Murakami would give New York another cornerstone player and further solidify its standing as a prime destination for Japanese talent.
Stearns’ presence in Tokyo is a clear signal: the Mets will be aggressive if Murakami is posted this offseason. The team’s pursuit could depend on whether Pete Alonso stays beyond 2026. Murakami’s versatility—he can play third base, first base, or serve as a designated hitter—would allow him and Alonso to share the lineup.
The Japanese market has yielded tremendous value for MLB teams in recent years, with stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki joining the Dodgers, Shota Imanaga excelling with the Cubs, and Senga making an instant impact with the Mets. Murakami could be the most anticipated Japanese hitter since Shohei Ohtani arrived in 2018.
Yankees Interest Complicated by Deadline Move
The Mets won’t be alone in their pursuit. The Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Phillies, and Blue Jays are all expected to closely monitor the situation. And then there’s the Yankees—a team Murakami has openly expressed interest in because his childhood idol was Hideki Matsui. Murakami wears Matsui’s No. 55 for both the Swallows and Team Japan, making a Bronx arrival a dream scenario in his eyes.
However, the Yankees made a major move at the trade deadline, acquiring Ryan McMahon to lock down third base for the foreseeable future. That complicates their potential pursuit of Murakami unless they view him as a first base or DH option.
For the Mets, that’s good news. With an open path to playing time and a recent track record of successfully integrating Japanese stars, they can sell Murakami on both opportunity and familiarity.
If Stearns gets his way, Murakami’s next walk-off might come in Queens, not Tokyo. Given the growing interest among MLB teams in tapping into the Japanese market, this offseason could become one of the most competitive international bidding wars baseball has ever seen.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia
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