The New York Yankees are back to the drawing board after coming up short in the postseason once again this year. Every passing season the Yankees don’t win a World Series, the pressure on the team mounts to make even bigger moves over the offseason, and in the wake of getting eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS, New York is already getting heavily linked to several big free agent targets.
Perhaps the most intriguing option for the Yanks in the open market is Japanese sensation Munetaka Murakami, who is expected to make the jump to MLB after another standout season in the Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yakult Swallows. However, one MLB insider doesn’t believe that the Yankees will end up signing the flashy free agent.
Yankees Receive Eye-Opening Munetaka Murakami Prediction
New York is expected to be in the market for several of the top names in free agency this offseason, and perhaps no one is more enticing for them than Murakami. After bursting onto the scene in Japan at 18 years old, Murakami has established himself as one of the best hitters in all of baseball, and he’s expected to be posted by the Swallows for MLB free agency this offseason.
Despite playing only 69 games last season, Murakami still managed to show off his prowess at the plate, hitting .286 with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs. Murakami has filled in at several different spots in the field, playing primarily at third base and first base, but he isn’t viewed as a particularly great fielder, with his future expected to be at first base or designated hitter.
The Yankees could desperately use an upgrade at third base, which is a big reason why the team has been linked so heavily to Murakami. However, one MLB insider warned fans that they should temper their expectations, as the team’s current roster construction may ultimately dissuade the front office from pursuing Murakami.
“I know Murakami is a popular target for fans. I don’t see that happening,” Chris Kirschner of The Athletic shared in an “Ask Me Anything” forum on Reddit. “Ben Rice is the first baseman next season. Giancarlo Stanton is the DH. There’s no spot for him.”
Should the Yankees Sign Munetaka Murakami?
GettyOne MLB insider believes that the Yankees won’t sign Munetaka Murakami in free agency this offseason
New York’s interest in Murakami could ultimately come down to how comfortable they are with him playing at third base. In only 63 games at third base last season, Murakami had six total errors, and he had at least 13 in each of the four seasons before that, with that number peaking at 22 in 2023. Simply put, those numbers won’t fly in the majors, especially in a market like the one the Yankees play in.
With Ben Rice at first base and Giancarlo Stanton at designated hitter, there really wouldn’t be a spot for Murakami, unless the team were to make a surprising move to free up these spots. If the Yankees feel comfortable starting Murakami at third base, then pursuing him makes sense, but otherwise, they’d be better off investing their money in other targets.
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