The upcoming MLB offseason features a strong class of Japanese free agents, including infielders Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, and pitchers Tatsuya Imai and Kona Takahashi. MLB Insider Mark Feinsand breaks down their profiles, potential team fits, and how their posting windows could influence the market. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees are expected to show interest in these players.
The 2025-26 MLB free-agent market includes four notable players from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB): infielders Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, along with pitchers Tatsuya Imai and Kona Takahashi. According to MLB Insider Mark Feinsand, these players bring a mix of power, versatility, and upside that could attract several contenders.
Murakami, entering his age-25 season, is described as a work in progress with 'epic power' but a tendency to swing and miss, potentially requiring adjustments in the majors. In contrast, the 30-year-old Okamoto is viewed as a more polished hitter with better defensive versatility, appealing to win-now teams seeking a higher-floor option. Feinsand notes that while some teams may pursue both, risk-tolerant clubs might favor Murakami's long-term potential, with one evaluator predicting Okamoto could outperform him initially but Murakami catching up over time.
On the pitching side, Imai stands out as a top-tier starter comparable to free agents like Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez, boasting a 1.92 ERA from his last season and no qualifying offer. Takahashi, at age 29, offers flexibility as a starter or reliever, with a source highlighting his embrace of modern analytics and visits to facilities like Driveline Baseball, though he may receive a shorter-term deal.
Teams with a history of success with Japanese talent, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers—who recently signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki—and the New York Yankees, are likely suitors for Imai and possibly the hitters. The Seattle Mariners, known for Ichiro Suzuki, and the Toronto Blue Jays, who pursued Ohtani and Yamamoto, could also enter the mix. The San Francisco Giants, led by GM Zack Minasian, are another team to watch, with an industry source believing they 'will get somebody out of this mix.'
These players' posting windows extend to late December or early January, potentially delaying other signings as teams await resolutions. Feinsand explains that unlike top talents like Ohtani, these players may sign earlier if the market moves quickly around the Winter Meetings.