The New York Yankees could definitely use a young slugger with a strong track record and untapped potential. Such an option might not be available this off-season, but next winter, a top Japanese first baseman should enter MLB through the posting system: it’s the soon-to-be 25-year-old first baseman Munetaka Murakami.

The New York Yankees have tried to land several top international baseball players in recent years, striking out on the

Murakami, who will turn 25 next month, hit 56 homers in 2022, breaking Sadaharu Oh’s 1964 record. He has 224 homers and has slashed .272/.395/.543 over seven seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He hit a walk-off two-run double in the semifinal against Mexico and a home run against Team USA in the final at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

2:56pm: The Mets have also been informed that they are out of the running, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post ... Sasaki’s Nippon Professional Baseball club, will also be owed a posting ...

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers have been informed Roki Sasaki won’t be signing with them, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The Yankees, who were informed Roki Sasaki won't sign with the club, according to the YES Network in a story confirmed by multiple outlets on Monday, join a list of clubs, including the Rangers, Mets and Giants,

The Bronx Bombers were told the Japanese phenom will not be signing with them, YES Network ’s Jack Curry reported Monday. The hard-throwing Sasaki, 23, was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball league last month and is eligible to sign with an MLB club beginning Jan. 15.

Roki Sasaki, 23, a standout Japanese starting pitcher, will not be joining the Yankees' stacked rotation. He also will not join the Mets.

After losing Juan Soto, the New York Yankees seemed intent on building a juggernaut that would haunt the AL East for the next few years. That’s when they signed

Sasaki was posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, Chiba Lotte, on December 9. That means MLB teams have 45 days to negotiate with Sasaki, who chose to sign as part of the 2025 class. He decided to do so because the signing bonus pool resets on Jan. 15, so he could get the highest available bonus.

The New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have been informed Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki won't be signing with them. Giants general manager Zack Minasian announced during a news conference Monday to introduce Justin Verlander that San Francisco no longer was in contention.

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't ruining baseball following their latest Roki Sasaki signing — they're just better at it than everyone else in MLB.