Teams will have the opportunity to sign Power-hitting Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami as a free agent after he enters Major League Baseball’s posting system from Saturday through December 22. Murakami, who turns 26 on February 2, is a four-time All-Star and was the MVP of the Central League in 2021 and 2022 while playing for the Yakult Swallows.
Despite being limited to 56 games due to an oblique injury, he batted .273 this season with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs. He had 64 strikeouts. In 2022, Murakami became the youngest player to win Japan’s Triple Crown and broke Sadaharu Oh’s record for a Japanese-born player in Nippon Professional Baseball with 56 home runs. Before a season marred by injuries in 2023, he hit 30 home runs in four consecutive years.
So who could be interested? Here are three teams who could make a potential first move –
Los Angeles Dodgers
We must bring them up, even though everyone if tired of hearing about how the Dodgers will sign everyone. Max Muncy recently had his $10 million option picked up, but if they decide to go with Murakami, they might move the veteran to bring in another Japanese superstar.
Seattle Mariners
Perhaps this is the move that puts them over the top because they came so close to earning a spot in the World Series. He might be a fantastic substitute if Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor are unable to return.
New York Mets
If the Mets do not offer the free agent a big contract, Pete Alonso might be gone. Murakami is, therefore one choice.