Dodgers’ MLB Supremacy Threatened as Rival Exec Hunts Japanese Aaron Judge

The Dodgers have long been known for their flair in landing top Japanese talent, and with a payroll creeping toward $400 million, they are eyeing another prized phenom from Nippon Professional Baseball. Jon Heyman recently named Los Angeles as a perfect fit for Munetaka Murakami—the powerful left-handed slugger who’s earned the nickname ‘Japanese Aaron Judge.’ While the Dodgers are leading contenders for this star third baseman, the sudden emergence of their fiercest rivals has ignited what promises to be a high-stakes bidding war.

As of September 2025, the Dodgers sit atop the National League West with a strong 78-62 record, firmly establishing themselves as one of MLB’s elite franchises. However, the San Diego Padres trail closely behind by just two games, making the division race intensely competitive. This rivalry extends beyond the standings into the off-season, where securing a transformative talent like Murakami could tip the scales.

Failing to secure Murakami’s signature for the Dodgers would pose a significant threat to their enduring supremacy. With the division and league races so tightly contested, the stakes could not be higher. Landing Murakami would not only reinforce the Dodgers’ powerhouse lineup but also send a clear message to rivals that their dominance over the NL West—and all of Major League Baseball—remains firmly intact.

Murakami would have entered Major League Baseball last year. However, he was yet to turn 25 and thus would have been subject to signing as an international amateur free agent, with a ceiling of around a $10 million payday. Now, he has turned 25 and is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows. A. J. Preller, the president of baseball operations for the San Diego Padre’s recently scouted him in person.

The Dodgers’ fiery rivals witnessed Murakami hammering three home runs in a single game for the Swallows. From there, word spread that the Padres had set their sights on him, representing a critical threat to the Dodgers, who were the first to be named Murakami’s suitors.

In fact, David Stearns—president of baseball operations for the New York Mets—also scouted Murakami. It’s honestly not surprising given the 25-year-old’s emergence. Despite limited on-field time this season due to injury, Murakami displayed his prodigious left-handed power. In a league where there’s a home run every 60 plate appearances, Murakami has hit 15 in 138. That means he hit one every 9.2 times up.

He smashed 56 homers three years ago, surpassing Sadaharu Oh’s single-season home run record that had stood since 1964. His strikeout rate and potential need to move from third base to first or a corner outfield spot are still questionable.

However, these tiny concerns certainly shouldn’t shape how teams pursue him. After all, locking in a player’s prime seasons—26 through 29—offers enormous upside. The last MLB player to reach free agency at 25 was Alex Rodriguez. Overall, everything is magnetic about Murakami.

With interest heating up from the Padres and Mets, another team has entered the conversation as a strong contender alongside the Dodgers.

Mariners Join Padres, Mets in Chase for Murakami

The Seattle Mariners are trying to build a roster worthy of Cal Raleigh’s once-in-a-lifetime season. Given the Mariners’ need for long-term stability, they are rumored to be pursuing Munetaka Murakami. Of course, not without clear reasoning. There’s a high possibility for the Mariners to lose Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor in the same offseason.

To stay in the race for a World Series title, they’d need someone as dominant as Murakami in the absence of Suárez and Naylor. The Japanese star is already being called one of the most powerful hitters to emerge in years.

Across 34 games, he hit 17 home runs recently. This year, he’s averaging a home run every nine at-bats—when the league average is closer to every 60. It speaks of raw dominance. The Mariners have all the reasons to go to all lengths for Murakami.

Plus, in the AL West, where the Astros and Rangers aren’t going anywhere, while the Dodgers lurk as the perennial powerhouse across the division line, the Mariners just can’t afford to stay behind. However, the Mariners aren’t known to spend as much as the Dodgers on their roster. Their front office has looked at big names and thought about upgrades, but too often, settled for cheaper options ultimately.