New York Mets exec David Stearns traveled great distances to Japan. He was not there for the holidays. He was there to scout. This trip is a follow-up to his previous pursuits of Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Both of those players in the end signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Stearns watched from the stands as the Japanese talent hit a dramatic walk-off home run.
In the center of all this is Munetaka Murakami. Fans see him as the “Japanese Aaron Judge.” In 2022, he had a season to remember, winning the Triple Crown with a.318 average, 56 home runs, and 134 RBIs. At the young age of 22, he broke the record for the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to achieve that accolade. His previous seasons were no doubt great, but through that 2022 season, he became a global sensation.
However, we are seeing a different picture lately in the story. Murakami’s average at the plate has gone down in the past two seasons. At the same time, he is still putting up great power numbers, hitting over 30 home runs a year. After the 2025 season, he will be available to MLB teams, joining a free-agent class that also includes players like Kyle Tucker and maybe Pete Alonso. This is setting the stage for a large-scale bidding war. Teams will try to balance out his great power with his recent performance issues, which makes his next contract very much a roll of the dice.
This brings us to a comment from the slugger himself. In 2023, Murakami made a statement. “Ideally, I’d like to play for a West Coast team. But I am also interested in the New York Yankees,” he said. This statement has brought forth a classic MLB conspiracy theory. It is known as the “Yankee Leverage” play. Players bring up the Yankees to get the league’s richest team into the bid for them. This tactic, in turn, drives up the price for the player.
“Ideally, I’d like to play for a west coast team. But I am also interested in the New York Yankees.”
– Munetaka Murakami back in 2023 pic.twitter.com/D0SE8slh3y
— Rod (@theyanksonly) August 12, 2025
This is not just a fan theory; we have history to support it. Yamamoto’s recent free agency is a perfect example. The Yankees and Mets put out large offers. This caused the Dodgers to up their bid to a whopping $325 million. Also in 2005, Carlos Beltran did the same thing to get a large contract from the Mets. Now, with Murakami on the Mets’ radar, we see that old Yankee comment as a brilliant business call. But conspiracy or not, two New York teams are now preparing for a battle royale.
Fanbase on edge: Dissecting the online reaction
This whole saga has the fans talking. The sting of recent free-agent losses has left deep scars.
Here we go again…heard the same shit three years in a row.
Yamamoto
Sasaki
Murakami pic.twitter.com/geIKmw2rai
— MadGood Knicks Show (@MadGoodKS) August 12, 2025
This comment is a gut punch of realism. The Yankees went all-in for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, only to watch him join the Dodgers. They heavily scouted phenom Roki Sasaki, who also chose Los Angeles. Fans now believe any top Japanese player is destined for the West Coast. Next is the theory on “Yankee Leverage.”
Translated: Ideally I’d play for a West coast team. But I am also interested in the New York Yankees driving up my price.
— Rath (@mak3333) August 13, 2025
During the Yamamoto bidding war for Yamamoto, the Yankees’ massive offer of 300 million dollars made the Dodgers increase their offer as well. It’s a risky game of poker where everyone wants Yankees at the table to raise the pot.
Beyond the conspiracy theories, there’s simple confusion. “I was told that he was going to be a yankee but with mcmahon idk how it’s possible anymore.” This points to the Yankees’ trade for third baseman Ryan McMahon at this trade deadline. He is a Gold Glove-caliber defender who has team control through 2027. With third base occupied, and first base and DH always crowded between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the fans’ confusion makes enough sense.
Some fans have seen enough of the drama. “Stop w these guys already. everyone keeps the yankees in the mix to drive up the price. if ur going to give this guy 300, just get Tucker. pay Belli to play 1b.” This fan brings a solid point. Why gamble $300 million on a player adapting from Japan when you have enough money to spend on a proven All-Star like Tucker or re-signing a player like Cody Bellinger?
Finally, fans are referencing Murakami’s off-field actions as a clear sign of where his heart truly lies. “He went on to take 4 photos in dodgers hats. 2 in a dodgers jersey. And 1 with the dodgers training staff + Ohtani in the offseason,” wrote one fan. While the exact numbers aren’t true, the core point is true. Murakami was photographed wearing a Dodgers hat in December 2024. It feels like a clear signal that his “interest” in New York is just smoke and mirrors.
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