{"id":276738,"date":"2025-11-11T02:52:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T02:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/276738\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T02:52:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T02:52:07","slug":"poll-which-team-will-sign-munetaka-murakami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/276738\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll: Which Team Will Sign Munetaka Murakami?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A big bat joined the free agent market last week when the Yakult Swallows of Japan\u2019s Nippon Professional Baseball posted Munetaka Murakami<\/a>\u00a0for MLB clubs. The 25-year-old bashed 246 home runs in eight NPB seasons, including a single-season record 56 in 2022. Murakami is behind only Kyle Tucker<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Bo Bichette<\/a> among hitters in our Top 50 Free Agents list<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Murakami isn\u2019t without flaws, as contact and defense are question marks. The slugger has posted strikeout rates above 28% in each of the past three seasons. Murakami would be strikeout-prone if he did that in the big leagues, but in the typically lower-strikeout NPB, it\u2019s a bit alarming. Third base has been Murakami\u2019s home in recent years, but he might not stick at the position long-term. Scouts grade him as a middling defender who might be better suited for first base or DH.<\/p>\n

Even with some red flags, there\u2019s an expectation that Murakami is going to garner offers well into the nine figures. MLBTR predicted an eight-year, $180MM pact. So who will take the plunge? Here\u2019s a look at some of the options:<\/p>\n

Dodgers<\/p>\n

Any time a notable free agent is discussed, the free-spending Dodgers will be in the conversation. That\u2019s especially true when the player in question is coming over from Japan, as Los Angeles already boasts Shohei Ohtani<\/a>,\u00a0Yoshinobu Yamamoto<\/a>, and\u00a0Roki Sasaki<\/a>. The fit, however, is less than ideal. The Dodgers have Ohtani plugged into the DH spot on a daily basis.\u00a0Freddie Freeman<\/a> will hold down first base through 2027. The Dodgers picked up<\/a>\u00a0Max Muncy<\/a>\u2019s club option and will have him at third base again next year, barring a trade. Murakami did make a start in the outfield this past season, so maybe that would be an avenue for the Dodgers to make it work, but it\u2019d be surprising to see him signed and plugged into the outfield on a full-time basis.<\/p>\n

Mets<\/p>\n

We know Steve Cohen has no problem opening up the checkbook. The Mets are a fairly straightforward fit if they choose not to re-sign Pete Alonso<\/a>, who opted out<\/a> last week. The team has Mark Vientos<\/a> and Brett Baty<\/a> penciled in at the corners right now, though neither has run away with past opportunities. Ronny Mauricio<\/a> will also factor into that mix. The Mets don\u2019t have a firm option at DH either, so there\u2019s room to add a hitter with Murakami\u2019s profile. President of baseball operations David Stearns was spotted scouting Murakami in person this year (though several other high-profile executives did the same, so he\u2019s hardly unique in that regard).<\/p>\n

Yankees<\/p>\n

The Yankees seem more likely to add on the pitching side, but they can never be ruled out in these types of free agent scenarios. Like the Dodgers, the fit for New York isn\u2019t seamless. Ben Rice<\/a> put together a breakout 2025 campaign and should be a fixture at first base, though he also made some starts at catcher last season. Ryan McMahon<\/a> was acquired midseason to sure up the third base spot. Giancarlo Stanton<\/a> is planted at DH. George Lombard Jr.<\/a> could factor into the infield calculus soon. As with the Dodgers, the Yankees could try to make room for Murakami with a trade (e.g. McMahon, Rice), but this isn\u2019t a clean fit as the roster is currently constructed.<\/p>\n

Red Sox<\/p>\n

Boston is a decent fit, especially after Alex Bregman<\/a> opted out<\/a>. Nathaniel Lowe<\/a> is likely to be non-tendered. Masataka Yoshida<\/a>, frequently manning the DH spot, has been a subject of trade speculation for the past year. Triston Casas<\/a> is returning from a significant knee injury. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow<\/a> didn\u2019t exactly hand Casas the job when he gets back. \u201cI don\u2019t think it makes a ton of sense on October 6 to say someone is or isn\u2019t our first baseman. We\u2019ll see how things play out,\u201d Breslow told reporters<\/a> shortly after the season ended. A small move or two could free up space for Murakami at DH or a corner infield spot.<\/p>\n

Cubs<\/p>\n

The Cubs got a strong season from first baseman Michael Busch<\/a> and have Matt Shaw<\/a> holding down third base, though DH reps could be available depending on the plan for Moises Ballesteros<\/a>. And it\u2019s not like Shaw staked his claim to the hot corner permanently, with a .669 OPS in his rookie campaign. The Cubs are known to be in the market for rotation and bullpen help this winter, but they\u2019ve won high-profile bidding on Seiya Suzuki<\/a> and Shota Imanaga<\/a> in recent offseasons.<\/p>\n

Blue Jays<\/p>\n

The Jays are typically at least in the mix for every prominent free agent in a given offseason these days. They haven\u2019t reeled in many of the highest-profile names they\u2019ve pursued in recent offseasons, but they\u2019re coming off a run to Game 7 of the World Series. That gives them some extra financial resources and also makes a compelling selling point to free agents who want to be sure they\u2019re joining a contender. Toronto has Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a> installed at first base. George Springer<\/a> will likely get the bulk of the DH reps in 2026 but is a free agent next offseason. Murakami could split time between third base, first base and DH in \u201926, with Addison Barger<\/a> playing right field on days he\u2019s at the hot corner and Guerrero getting a DH breather on days when Murakami is at first base.<\/p>\n

Padres<\/p>\n

The Padres regularly find themselves in the bidding for star players \u2014 both established MLB names and high-profile talents making the jump from overseas. They\u2019ve got Gavin Sheets<\/a> likely to hold down first base or designated hitter but lack a clear option otherwise. The Padres have been scaling back payroll in recent years, which makes this a tougher fit, but president of baseball operations A.J. Preller could always find a creative means of opening some financial wiggle room on the trade market.<\/p>\n

Angels<\/p>\n

The Angels have no real answer at third base, where Anthony Rendon<\/a> is finally entering the final season of his contract. Yoan Moncada<\/a> and Luis Rengifo<\/a> are free agents. First baseman Nolan Schanuel<\/a> has held his own but hasn\u2019t been an impact hitter. The DH spot is clogged up thanks to the glut of corner outfielders on the roster (Mike Trout<\/a>, Jo Adell<\/a>, Taylor Ward<\/a>, Jorge Soler<\/a>), but the Halos could feasibly deal one of Ward or Adell. This would be the biggest swing they\u2019ve taken in free agency since signing Rendon to his ill-fated deal, but there\u2019s a fit and Trout is only real long-term commitment left on the books. Only Trout and Yusei Kikuchi<\/a> are signed beyond 2026 (and only Trout is signed beyond \u201927).<\/p>\n

The field<\/p>\n

Given Murakami\u2019s rare blend of youth, power and overseas track record, we could see a dark horse candidate emerge for his services. In terms of production, the Nationals, Cubs, Reds and Pirates ranked bottom four in OPS at third base, while the White Sox, Rockies, Marlins and Giants brought up the rear at first base. San Francisco made a splash in the international market recently, landing Jung Hoo Lee<\/a> on a six-year, $113MM deal ahead of the 2024 season. It\u2019s just hard to see where Murakami would play, assuming Bryce Eldridge<\/a> has a significant role next season. It\u2019s also possible a smaller-market team could step up and pursues Murakami as a potential face of the franchise.<\/p>\n

Where do MLBTR readers think Murakami will land this offseason? Cast your vote in the poll below:<\/p>\n

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