If there was ever a team for a player nicknamed the “Babe Ruth of Higo,” who would you think it would be for?

Well, if you guessed the New York Yankees, bravo! Because the Bronx Bombers are a team to watch for the services of Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported early on Friday that Murakami is expected to be posted from his team the Yakult Swallows of the Nippon League, opening a 45-day negotiating window.

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly wrote a piece on possible destinations for the left-handed slugger and the Yankees were among suitors.

And for those keeping track, that nickname isn’t made up by yours truly. I wish I could come up with such creative genius. 

Murakami is one of Japan’s most dynamic power hitters, at one point hitting 56 home runs in 141 games in the 2022 season. Not only that, he only played in 56 games in 2025, but still managed to crush 22 dingers – which equates to 63 home runs in a 162 game season.

Murakami hails from Kumamoto, Japan, which is the southernmost province in the nation. It was formerly recognized as Higo, hence the “Babe Ruth of Higo” nickname.

The Yankees have a history in luring Japanese talent to the Bronx, most notably former World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, Cy Young runner up, Chien-Ming Wang, and All Star Masahiro Tanaka.

In Kelly’s piece, he writes, “The Yankees presumably plan to move forward with Ryan McMahon, an excellent defender, at third base. However, Paul Goldschmidt is a free agent, Ben Rice may also be a consideration at catcher and Giancarlo Stanton will turn 36 in November. Between first base and DH, the Yankees wouldn't have an issue finding at-bats for Murakami if they signed him.”

He also mentions that left-handed sluggers Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham are both scheduled to hit free agency, even after the Yankees extended a qualifying offer for the latter.

But a big part of this storyline is the possibility of Murakami playing 81 games in the Bronx, with a short porch in right field, giving left-handed hitters a dream scenario.

There’s a similar situation in Philadelphia with the Phillies, and they’re reported to be interested as well.

Given New York’s track record with free agents from Japan, it doesn’t seem to be out of the question for the Bronx Bombers to land Murakami. We do, however, live in a different time, and the days of the Yankees opening their wallets to just about anybody are a thing of the past.

That’s reserved for the back-to-back World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers, who yes, have interest in Murakami.

There will be a lot of negotiation for Murakami, and the possibility of landing the Babe Ruth of Higo would be all too poetic for the pinstripes.

Murakami’s 45-day window concludes on December 23, 2025.