The secret to the Dodgers’ success surely lies in tapping Japanese talent. Take the names of Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto; the list goes on. And with the 2025 season pretty much done and dusted, it looks like the Yankees might be taking a page out of the Dodgers’ playbook… They’re reportedly heading to Japan in search of some serious talent to finally snap their 16-year title drought.

The core reason surely is Cody Bellinger, who just wrapped up a solid season, hitting .272 with a 5 WAR, and is heading into free agency. He’s definitely going to attract some big offers. And while the Yankees would love to keep him in pinstripes, they’re also exploring new options. According to reports, the team is checking out a potential Aaron Judge 2.0, who’s tearing up the NPB with a .286/.392/.659 slash line this year.

“The Yankees are among the teams interested in 1B/3B Munetaka Murakami. He’s hit 22 HRs in 56 games this year with a 1.043 OPS.” Fireside Yankees cited Nikkan Sports in breaking the news.

Murakami could be just the kind of bat the Yankees need if Bellinger walks in free agency. Notably, the 26-year-old slugger has been a cornerstone for the Yakult Swallows since debuting in 2017, splitting time between third and first base. He has played just 69 games this past season, and crushed 24 homers with a .286/.392/.659 slash line. And he’s the same guy who, back in 2022, launched 56 home runs, posted a .710 slugging percentage, and won the Triple Crown.

So, it’s no surprise that the Yankees aren’t the only ones circling Murakami. Reports indicate that the Red Sox and Mets are also in the mix, setting the stage for a fierce offseason battle. With Boston seeking a true middle-order threat and the Mets potentially losing Pete Alonso to free agency, New York will have serious competition if it hopes to bring Japan’s power phenom to the Bronx.

Japanese stars have already paved the way for blockbuster MLB moves. Hideki Matsui signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Yankees in 2003, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers in 2024 reset the market. Given Murakami’s age, power, and international profile, he could command a deal worth between $150 and $200 million once posted.

While his offensive ceiling is sky-high, scouts have noted a few question marks. His strikeout rate has climbed in recent seasons, and his limited range at third base could push him toward a full-time first base or designated hitter role in MLB. Still, for teams craving left-handed power, Murakami’s bat easily outweighs those concerns.

And the comparisons to Aaron Judge aren’t far-fetched. With a 1.043 OPS and a swing built for long ball dominance, Murakami mirrors Judge’s presence in the lineup. He holds the single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player with 56 blasts in 2022, while Judge set the American League mark that same year. Few hitters—Japanese or otherwise—have reached that level of raw power.

Only legends like Hideki Matsui and Shohei Ohtani have topped 30 home runs in MLB, placing Murakami squarely among Japan’s most elite sluggers and perhaps the next big superstar destined for Yankee pinstripes.

But talent like his doesn’t come without competition. As word spreads across the league, front offices are already preparing their bids and scouting reports—setting up what could become one of the most closely watched pursuits in recent years.

The Yankees will face an intense sweepstakes for Murakami

With some of the top teams, like the Red Sox and Mets, pursuing Murakami, it’s an impending sweepstakes in the offseason.

Now, for the Red Sox, they’ve a track record of bringing in Japanese talent. For instance, they have Masataka Yoshida, who hasn’t really delivered as a DH, and first base was a revolving door for most of the season. Yes, Triston Casas should be back from his knee injury by spring. But the lineup could really use another big bat.

Moreover, this year, the Red Sox’s top home run hitter was Trevor Story with just 25. So, that’s not exactly the power numbers you expect from a top-tier team. Murakami thus could fit as a power enhancer for the Red Sox’ lagging offense.

On the other hand, the Yankees got a challenge from the Mets, also. The Mets might be in the mix as Pete Alonso is reportedly hitting free agency. The Mets’ President David Stearns even traveled to Japan back in August to scout Murakami. And just so happened to be there when he hit a walk-off homer. And with Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, the Mets won’t hesitate to make a serious push.

So once the 2025 postseason wraps up, fans should gear up because the battle for Murakami could turn into one of the biggest free-agent chases in years.