Noted Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami isn’t the only Japanese star moving to MLB this winter. Yomiuri Giants star Kazuma Okamoto, another big-hitting third baseman/first baseman who’s comped to Seiya Suzuki, and Seibu Lions pitching star Tatsuya Imai, who has a 1.50 ERA and throws 98 mph with a plus slider, are being posted, too, sources say.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns scouted in Japan, and some rivals are speculating the Mets may play for Murakami if they can’t re-sign Pete Alonso. Stearns saw Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander, and Okamoto, as well.
The latest best guess heard for Aaron Judge’s return to right field is this home stand, maybe early next week. (But of course, many guesses have been made already.)
The Judge-Cal Raleigh MVP debate is great, but if the Mariners continue flopping (and four teams are within three games for the final wild-card spot), his first-place case goes away.