It’s no secret that the New York Yankees are usually at the center of conversations when top Japanese stars become available. From Shohei Ohtani to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, their name always seems to pop up, even if those pursuits often end with the player landing elsewhere. This winter, the latest name drawing attention is Munetaka Murakami , a left-handed power bat from Japan who could make the jump to the majors.

The interest makes sense on the surface. Murakami’s offensive production in Japan is impossible to ignore, but the Yankees’ current roster construction — and his defensive limitations — suggest this might be one of those times when they sit out the sweepstakes.

Murakami’s profile is built on power

Murakami, 25, spent this past season splitting time between the Yakult Swallows’ Ce

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