Yankees’ perfect chance for Roki Sasaki redemption is coming to the MLB next winter

After losing Juan Soto, the New York Yankees seemed intent on building a juggernaut that would haunt the AL East for the next few years. That’s when they signed Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal, filling the spot previously occupied by Anthony Rizzo. For a team chasing continued dominance, passing on longer-term solutions for a one-year player is a bewildering move.

The initial reaction was an expectation that GM Brian Cashman was going to make a play for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While that is still a possibility, we have now heard whispers that the Yankees’ front office is eyeing a Japanese superstar as a long-term solution.

For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop during the MLB offseason.

According to Yankees’ reporter Michael Kay, Yankees’ management is aiming to bring Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami aboard next offseason. Kay had this to say on ESPN:

“You’ve got to come up with another creative way to make yourself more attractive. You just do. [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto turned you down [for the Los Angeles Dodgers]. Now, [Roki] Sasaki turned you down. Now, the slugging first baseman Murakami is going to be a free agent at the end of this year. I know the Yankees would love to have him. That’s why they don’t want to sign a long-term deal for a first baseman. Are they going to be able to get him, or is he going to end up on the West Coast?”

Murakami is one of the top sluggers in NPB history. He is the youngest to reach 200 home runs at age 24. In 2022 and at the age of 22, he became the youngest player in the NPB to hit for the triple crown, posting an astounding .318/.458/.711/1.168 slash line with 134 RBIs and 56 home runs through only 487 at-bats. His 56 home runs that season hold the single-season home run record in Japan.

Murakami’s on-base percentages are staggering as he draws a massive number of walks each season. Last year was a definite down season for the 24-year-old slugger. Murakami posted a .244/.379/.472/.851 slash line with 33 home runs in 500 at-bats. The 33 home runs were promising, but his OPS and SLG were at career lows. He hit a career-low 13 doubles with one triple last season accounting for the low SLG. He started the year mired in a slump before coming back around.

Murakami is no stranger to slumps as he has been plagued with them the past few years, even in his historic 2022 season. His WBC performance in 2023 was certainly memorable though it came during one his slumps. He had very few hits, but they were important ones. His two-run walk-off double sent Team Japan to the finals against Team USA where he did this against Merrill Kelly:

Last night’s hero goes UPPER DECK to tie the game! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/ZHhCjgK94l

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 22, 2023

If that isn’t the nicest swing you’ve ever seen, then I give up. Murakami will be 25 next season. He is currently the third baseman for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, but his defense at third may not hold up well enough in the MLB to stay at that position. Murakami is thought to be better suited at first base.

— DRAMATIC BASEBALL 2025 (@ntv_baseball) September 14, 2024

Related Posts

Stuck Behind Iron Bars, He’s in Pain—But This Brave Dog Refuses to Give Up

The story of a dog impaled by a metal bar is one of resilience and survival, a testament to the strength animals show in the face of extreme pain. Despite the agony it must have felt, the dog’s spirit remained unbroken, pushing it to fight through the ordeal. This moving tale highlights both the incredible endurance of animals and the compassion of those who step in to help them heal.

Trаvіѕ Kelce on рroрoѕіng to Tаylor Swіft: “She cаn tell thаt ѕtory… I’m аn emotіonаl guy, there were а few teаrѕ here аnd there — I cаn’t wаіt to ѕрend the reѕt of my lіfe wіth her.”

Travis Kelce has given a rare insight into his ’emotional’ proposal to Taylor Swift, admitting for the first time that he cried when he got down on one knee.

Devastated Dog Refuses To Leave His Injured Sister’s Side Who Was Lying Motionless On The Ground

When people noticed two dogs hopelessly lying on the street, they ɑpproɑched them to see if they coυld help them.

For years, she knew only the weight of a chain and the pain of starvation. Then, in a single moment, everything changed—her chains were broken, and she was free at last.

Some pets are treated like family, showered with love and care. Others, like Lieber, endure a life of suffering, neglected by those who were supposed to protect them.

Twins Breaking: Twins Implement New “Home Run Ball Courtesy Protocol” for Young Fans at Target Field

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins have announced new fan engagement guidelines this week to ensure that Target Field remains a drama-free zone when…

Update!! No more Braves highlights on Twitter, and fans are convinced something bigger is brewing

On Frіdаy nіght, Ronаld аcuñа Jr. аnd elі Whіte hіt а home run deeр іnto the аtlаntа nіght. We dіdn’t ѕee а tweet from the Brаveѕ аbout…