TOKYO – The MLB stage is about to ring with the biggest applause this winter, and the focus is no longer on Shohei Ohtani. From Tokyo to New York, from Los Angeles to Seoul, the question everyone is asking is: Who will be strong enough to own “Munetaka Murakami” – the man known as “Higo’s Babe Ruth”?
At the age of 25, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows star has officially entered the MLB mid-winter transfer window of 2026, and no one knows how big the competition will be for the strong North American teams. By the end of 2025, Japanese government and team insiders say the Yankees, Mets, and Phillies are leading the race, along with potential teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox.
The data has shocked the industry: Murakami once hit a record-breaking 56 home runs in a season—the most in history for a Japanese player. He has a season-high .273/.394/.550, a Triple Crown winner, and two MVPs for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. His home runs average 116 mph, on par with Pete Alonso and Brent Rooker, and sometimes even more.
Meanwhile, North American teams are more willing to open their wallets than ever. According to MLB.com journalist Mark Feinsand, the transfer fee could surpass the old limit that caused Yoshinobu Yamamoto to shock — meaning $300 million and more is within reach.
The NPB region has also prepared for this historic transfer. Murakami will have to go through the international registration period from November 25, and any team that wants to own him will have to pay a postal fee of no less than $60 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows due to the new posting mechanism.
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