Yankees to pivot away from veteran for Japan’s Babe Ruth

Follow Us

NEW YORK/ TOKYO — The New York Yankees are preparing for a major shift this offseason as they emerge among the frontrunners to sign Japanese star Munetaka Murakami. The 25-year-old power hitter, nicknamed the “Babe Ruth of Higo,” is set to be posted by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows this winter.

This pursuit comes as the Yankees prepare to part ways with veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, signaling the franchise’s continued push toward a younger, power-driven roster.

Multiple reports confirm that Murakami will enter the international posting system in the coming weeks. The Yankees, known for their long history of investing in international talent, are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit.

All eyes on the Babe Ruth of Higo

Murakami’s story began in Kumamoto Prefecture, once known as Higo Province, where his prodigious power earned him the nickname “Babe Ruth of Higo.” As a student at Kyushu Gakuin Integrated High School, he hit 52 home runs over three seasons, catching the attention of scouts across Japan.

In 2017, Murakami’s rise continued when three Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams selected him in the first round of the draft. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows won his rights through a lottery and immediately gave him uniform No. 55 in honor of Yankees legend Hideki Matsui — a clear sign of the high expectations surrounding him.

By 22, Murakami had already earned comparisons to Matsui and other Japanese greats, leading the Swallows to league titles while becoming a dominant force in the Central League.

Power numbers that redefine potential

Murakami’s breakout season in 2022 stands among the most historic in Japanese baseball. He smashed 56 home runs — the most ever hit in a single season by a Japanese-born player — while capturing the Triple Crown with a .318 average, 134 RBIs, and a .458 on-base percentage.

He was the youngest player in NPB history to win the Triple Crown and earned his second Central League MVP Award. Over his NPB career, Murakami has totaled 246 home runs in 892 games, boasting a .273/.394/.550 slash line.

From 2021 through 2024, he hit at least 30 home runs every year, confirming his consistency and power.

“He has legit power,” one MLB scout said. “It should translate to the Majors.”

Injuries but still elite performance

Murakami’s 2025 campaign was limited by oblique and elbow injuries, but his production remained elite when healthy. In only 56 games, he hit .286 with 22 home runs, 47 RBIs, and a 1.043 OPS.

Despite missing significant time, he added 10 doubles and drew 38 walks while continuing to demonstrate elite plate discipline. Those numbers reaffirmed that his bat speed and power remain among the best in professional baseball.

Defensive versatility boosts Yankees’ plans

Beyond his offense, Murakami brings valuable defensive flexibility. He has split his professional career between third base and first base, appearing in roughly 75 percent of games at third and the rest at first.

This versatility aligns perfectly with the Yankees’ roster strategy. The team envisions Murakami as a key piece who can play either corner infield position based on matchups. His flexibility also ensures the Yankees can develop young players like Ben Rice without positional conflicts.

Rice, who can play both catcher and first base, remains part of the Yankees’ long-term plans. With Murakami capable of handling third base, the Yankees could rotate the two as needed.

Yankees move on from Paul Goldschmidt

According to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner and Brendan Kuty, the Yankees do not plan to re-sign Goldschmidt, who played on a one-year, $12.5 million deal.

“Goldschmidt will not be re-signed, as Ben Rice is the club’s first baseman of the future,” Kirschner and Kuty reported.

Goldschmidt, a seven-time All-Star and former MVP, hit .274 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 145 games this past season. Over his 15-year career, he has won four Gold Gloves and five Silver Sluggers, cementing his legacy as one of the most respected hitters of his generation.

After the Yankees’ elimination from the playoffs, Goldschmidt reflected on his future. “I think I’d like to continue playing, but I hadn’t sat down and thought about it,” he told Newsweek. “I was expecting to continue to play here and all that, but I still love playing.”

Fierce competition for Murakami

The Yankees will face strong competition in their bid for Murakami. Nikkan Sports reports that the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners are among the top contenders.

Sources also indicate that the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox could join the race. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was spotted in Japan in August watching Murakami hit a walk-off home run, fueling speculation that the Mets will make a serious push, especially with Pete Alonso’s uncertain future.

“Nikkan Sports reported this week that the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Mariners are among the teams that could make a big push for Murakami, who hit 22 home runs with 47 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS in 56 games during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign,” wrote John Feinsan of MLB.com.

Yakult Swallows acting owner Tetsuya Hayashida has already given Murakami his blessing to move to MLB. “Our hope is for him to succeed,” Hayashida said in June. “He supported the team so much in such a short period and made a big contribution. He’s a player we care a lot about.”

Expected contract and scouting concerns

Because Murakami is 25 and has six professional seasons, he won’t be subject to international bonus pool restrictions. That means he can negotiate a standard MLB deal — likely one of the largest ever for a Japanese position player.

By comparison, Masataka Yoshida signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Red Sox, and Seiya Suzuki agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs. Murakami’s elite power could push his contract beyond both.

However, scouts note some red flags. His strikeout rate has risen above 28 percent in recent years, while his walk rate dropped from 19.3 percent in 2022 to 14.3 percent this season.

“The strikeout and walk numbers may scare some teams away,” one American League executive said. “He has big power, but there appear to be a lot of holes in that swing.”

World Baseball Classic heroics add to reputation

Murakami’s clutch performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic solidified his reputation as a big-game hitter. After struggling early in the tournament, he delivered a walk-off double in the semifinal against Mexico, sending Japan to the championship game.

In the final against Team USA, he homered off Merrill Kelly in the second inning, tying the score and sparking Japan’s offense. His timely hitting helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic title.

Yankees aim to rebuild for long-term success

The Yankees enter this offseason with eight unrestricted free agents, including Cody Bellinger, Amed Rosario, and Trent Grisham. The open roster spots give the front office flexibility to reshape the lineup.

The team sees Murakami as a franchise cornerstone — a left-handed slugger with youth, versatility, and international star power. If the Yankees succeed in signing him, it would mark a bold step toward recapturing their championship identity and restoring their place atop baseball’s elite.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Follow Us