Max Muncy will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2026 season as the team picked up his club option last month.
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As the third baseman and the Dodgers prepare to complete the three-peat next year, the defending champions have inevitably made a new rival along the way.
Top Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai, who was posted by his NPB team, has remarked on joining LA and the organization’s three Japanese stars in Roki Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Imai admitted it would be enjoyable to play for the Dodgers, but he’d prefer to “take down” the dynasty as part of his baseball legacy.
In a recent appearance on Foul Territory, Muncy responded to Imai’s comments on defeating the Dodgers.
“I mean, to be honest, it’s no different than any other starting pitcher out there, where they all want to take us down. I haven’t looked into this guy at all. I don’t know what his stuff is. I’m sure he’s amazing, as we’ve seen a lot of the Japanese pitchers that have come over have been extremely good, with the guys on our staff,” Muncy said. “So I’m sure he’s very, very talented and very good. Every pitcher that’s not on our team is saying the same thing. They want to take us down, they want to be the one to beat us. That’s what makes it fun to play for the Dodgers. You’re going to get everyone’s best every single night.”
As back-to-back champions, the Dodgers have a target on their backs but that should signify intense matchups throughout the 2026 campaign.
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Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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