Yankees Eye Japanese Free Agents Amid Offseason Moves

The New York Yankees are making a strong push to re-enter the Japanese player market this offseason, with owner Hal Steinbrenner expressing a clear interest in adding Japanese representation to the team.

Steinbrenner stated, 'Representation of Japanese players on the Yankees, yes, that's an important thing,' signaling a strategic shift in their approach. General manager Brian Cashman noted that the Yankees have not signed a significant Japanese player since Masahiro Tanaka in 2014 and emphasized the importance of tapping into this talent pool again.

Currently, several notable Japanese free agents are available, and the Yankees are eyeing them closely. The top target appears to be right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who had an impressive 2025 NPB season with a 1.92 ERA over 24 games.

Imai, at 27 years old, has a fastball that ranges from the mid-90s to 99 miles per hour, alongside a slider and splitter known for producing swing-and-miss outcomes. His recent comments about wanting to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than join them suggest a competitive spirit that could resonate well in New York.

Another player of interest is first baseman and third baseman Munetaka Murakami, who was once viewed as a major prize in the offseason but has struggled in recent years. After a stellar performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and a 56-home run season, Murakami has not surpassed 33 home runs in the subsequent seasons, raising concerns about his strikeout rate, which was 180 Ks in 143 games during 2024.

His batting average against faster pitches was a troubling .095 last season. Lastly, the Yankees are considering Kazuma Okamoto, who has a strong profile with a .327 batting average, .411 on-base percentage, and .581 slugging percentage, alongside 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in just 77 games.

At 29 years old and serving as the captain of the Yomiuri Giants, Okamoto's excellent plate discipline and contact hitting could provide a balance to the Yankees' left-handed-heavy lineup. The Yankees' renewed focus on Japanese players could significantly reshape their roster and influence the dynamics of MLB free agency this offseason.