LA Insider Predicts the “Aaron Judge of Japan” May Ditch West Coast for East Coast’s Biggest Juggernaut

The battle for baseball’s next superstar is brewing. This time, it is not just between teams—it is between coasts. Munetaka Murakami, the Aaron Judge of Japan, intends to make MLB debut in 2026 and the largest coasts are already gearing up. The Los Angeles Dodgers, the kings of West Coast dominance, need him. The New York Yankees, the East Coast’s baseball empire, need him. Somewhere in the middle, every other team’s trying to take a shot.

Murakami is not just another international talent. He is a 56-homer, triple crown-winning sensation playing at the first base and third base. The star slugger not only shattered records in Japan before turning 24, but also has the swagger, the power and a swing—worthy of the Yankee Stadium and the Dodger blue. However, where will the Babe Ruth of Higo end up? Who is prepared to break the bank to make it happen?

Why the Yankees are in play

For years, the West Coast has attracted Japanese talents. Ichiro Suzuki, Shohei Ohtani and Hideo Nomo—the pattern is evident. To be clear, the Dodgers may have mastered the art of securing top-tier Japanese athletes, making them the early favorite for Munetaka Murakami. Hold up, there’s a twist. Murakami-sama has been compared to Aaron Judge, for his power and stature. And if you are dubbed the Aaron Judge of Japan, it only makes sense to wear the same pinstripes as the original, Aaron Judge.

David McDonnell, from Dodgers Nation revealed a new update. He said, “It is going to be West Coast teams versus one team on the East Coast and it is the Yankees, he would definitely be willing to sign with the Yankees“. Munetaka Murakami wants to play on largest stage possible and and according to most, there is no larger stage in baseball than Yankee Stadium. With the short porch in right field tailor-made for a left-handed slugger like Murakami, the Yankees pursuit of the player seems inevitable, even if slightly unlikely.

As for the Dodgers, they have Freddie Freeman, locked in at first base through 2027. Additionally, they also have Shohei Ohtani as their designated hitter for the next nine years. However, the Yankees can fit Munetaka Murakami into their lineup with ease offering flexibility. Paul Goldschmidt is on a one-year deal and leaving first base open for Murakami when he joins. Additionally, Giancarlo Stanton is under contract till 2027, with a club scope for 2028. This set up allows Murakami to explore the DH position later in his career. With a immediate play time and long-term opportunities, Yankees seem like an appealing option for Murakami.

The Munetaka Murakami dilemma, A Bronx fit or a risky experiment?

The Yankees are reportedly interested in Munetaka Murakami, but his transition to MLB comes with challenges. Yes, he crushed 86 RBIs in 2024 and broke Sadaharu Oh’s single-season record in 2022 with his home run. However, there’s an issue— his strikeout rate. It jumped to 24.5% in 2022 and in 2023, it went up higher at 27.3%. If this trend continues, he could struggle against MLB pitching. Now, that’s a problem for the Yankee’s. Their line-up has a high-strikeout slugger, Giancarlo Stanton. The Bronx need discipline and if Murakami cannot adjust, will he end up as a liability rather than an asset?

Beyond just his numbers, adaptation could be an issue. History shows that even elite NPB don’t dominate the field immediately. For instance, Masataka Yoshida, a contact-first hitter, posted a modest .753 OPS in his rookie season. Munetaka Murakami has the talent, however, adjusting from NPB’s style to MLB’s velocity is a different issue altogether. The Yankees could be trying to bring him in, however, is he truly ready for what awaits in the Bronx?

No one can deny Murakami’s talent, however, his MLB transition will not be seamless. If the Yankees choose to gamble on this Japanese star, will they unlock a generational superstar or will they add another high-strikeout risk? Is the West Coast a better fit for this move? Share your thoughts in the comments.