Munetaka Murakami Might Not Be Right Fit for Yankees

Japanese baseball sensation Munetaka Murakami is officially on the market for Major League Baseball teams. The 45-day posting window wraps up just before Christmas.

His availability is creating buzz across the league. Teams are weighing his elite home run power against questions about his contact skills and defensive fit.

With a bidding war likely, the New York Yankees find themselves at a crossroads. Could Murakami be the bat they’ve been missing, or would he just add to their roster logjam?

Murakami’s Path to MLB Stardom

At just 25, Murakami has already made his mark in Japanese baseball history. He smashed a record-breaking 56 home runs, topping Sadaharu Oh’s 1964 mark and turning himself into Japan’s modern-day slugging phenomenon.

This kind of power gets MLB teams’ attention, especially in an era obsessed with home runs. It’s not every day a player with that kind of pop becomes available.

How Posting Works and Why Timing Matters

The posting system gives MLB teams 45 days to negotiate and sign the player. Murakami’s window ends before Christmas, so front offices will be scrambling to wrap up deals before the holidays hit.

That ticking clock could push teams to make aggressive offers. Nobody wants to let a rare talent like Murakami slip away because they hesitated.

The Yankees’ Position in the Market

The last big Japanese star to join the Yankees was Masahiro Tanaka. So, Murakami could signal a return to that valuable market for New York.

Organizations like the Mets, Mariners, Phillies, Giants, and Red Sox are reportedly interested, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. If the Yankees want Murakami, they’ll have to outbid some serious competition.

Concerns Over Contact Rates and Strikeouts

Murakami launched 22 home runs in just 56 games after coming back from an oblique injury. But his in-zone contact rate dropped from 77.1% in 2022 to 72.6% in 2025.

Gary Phillips of the Daily News points out that these numbers raise real questions about how Murakami will handle MLB-level velocity. He tends to swing and miss—even at strikes—which could limit his overall offensive impact, despite his raw power that Fangraphs grades at 80.

Roster Fit: Where Would Murakami Play?

Defense is another issue. Ryan McMahon has third base locked down, and Ben Rice is at first.

Murakami’s most likely spot in New York would be as the main designated hitter. But that would overlap a lot with the Yankees’ top prospect, Spencer Jones, who’s also known for big power and high strikeouts.

Potential Lineup Configurations

If the Yankees bring in Murakami, they’ll need to sort out some redundancy. Maybe he rotates through DH, gets occasional starts at third, or tries out first base.

Still, it’s a risk to invest heavily in another bat-first player when the roster already has similar profiles. That’s a tricky balance to strike.

The Upside: Power Like Few Have Seen

Murakami’s game power is something else. Fangraphs gives him a 70-grade game power, which means he can turn raw strength into actual home runs at a rate most players just can’t touch.

His Japanese home run record sits right alongside Aaron Judge’s own MLB milestone. Imagine those two in the same lineup—now that’s a fun thought for Yankees fans.

Teams Ready to Bid

The market for Murakami is wide open. Here are some teams expected to chase him:

• New York Yankees
• Boston Red Sox
• Seattle Mariners
• San Francisco Giants
• Philadelphia Phillies
• New York Mets

With so many suitors, Murakami’s going to get some big-time offers. His contract could even rival other major international deals from recent years.

Final Thoughts: Risk vs. Reward

For the Yankees, Murakami brings both a tempting opportunity and a real gamble. His raw power could seriously jolt the lineup.

But his contact rates have dropped, and his defense isn’t exactly Gold Glove material. The team will need to use him wisely.

If you put him in the right spot—maybe next to Judge in a stacked heart of the order—Murakami might just turn into one of MLB’s scariest hitters.

This posting period isn’t only about Murakami. It’s also about how teams think, develop players, and whether they’ll actually roll the dice on a rare talent who’s not without flaws.

With Christmas creeping closer, everyone’s watching to see if the Yankees, or maybe someone else, will make the move that shapes their entire offseason.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Japanese Star Munetaka Murakami May Not Fit Yankees