Where in the world will Munetaka Murakami sign?
The slugger is the next great player set to leave Japan and come stateside. Unlike others in recent memory who’ve been pitchers or outfielders, Murakami profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat having positional versatility to man first or third base (as well as being a designated hitter).
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com spoke on the interest level across the league that many teams presumably have in Murakami. When further delving into the interested parties, it comes as no surprise to see all of the major powers on both coasts being the most intrigued.
“Nikkan Sports reported this week that the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Mariners are among the teams that could make a big push for Murakami, who hit 22 home runs with 47 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS in 56 games during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, flashing the type of power he showed in his 56-homer season. Sources say the Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox could also be in the mix, though much of it will depend on how each team views his ability to play first and/or third, or his willingness to be a designated hitter.”
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The report further analyzes the possibility that a host of contending teams — including the Dodgers — could use the prodigious infielder as a replacement for veteran players.
“The Mets could face the loss of Pete Alonso, who is opting out of his contract, so president of baseball operations David Stearns went to Japan in August to see Murakami, who hit a walk-off home run with Stearns in attendance. The Dodgers could look to move on from Max Muncy at third base, while the Mariners could lose both first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez to free agency.”
Both New York ballclubs could use some thump in the middle of their orders. The same can be said for Seattle with a few impending free agents of their own set to hit the market. All three of these teams have histories with Japanese players. Location-wise and culturally, Seattle may hold an edge. The same can be said for San Francisco as Buster Posey works to revamp the Giants. Boston has been reticent to spend money in recent years – though the Red Sox also have a history with Japanese players past and present.
When it comes to the Dodgers, Murakami doesn’t seem to fit. That’s not to say that the team won’t do its due diligence in looking at all aspects of a possible signing.
Having said that, Murakami has the reputation as being a below-average defender. The first base and DH spots are blocked for the foreseeable future, and paying Max Muncy — a big-time team leader — $10 million to come back next year rather than a nine-figure deal for Murakami may be more palatable for the LA front office.
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Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
No more Japanese players! 3 is plenty!
With Muncy getting up there and Freeland not quite ready, I think it’d be a good signing!