Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami faces a December 22 deadline to sign with an MLB club after being posted by the Yakult Swallows. His market remains unclear, with limited buzz around potential suitors despite praise for his power potential. If no deal is reached, he would return to Japan for the 2026 season.
The posting window for 25-year-old Munetaka Murakami closes on Monday at 5:00 p.m. ET, but as of this week, his free-agent market has not yet taken shape. There is little concrete information on interested clubs, leaving his future uncertain. Talent evaluators have lauded Murakami's power, which they believe will translate to Major League Baseball, though his high strikeout rates in Nippon Professional Baseball raise concerns.
Most teams project Murakami primarily as a first baseman, even though he played about three-fourths of his games at third base for the Yakult Swallows. Potential landing spots include several MLB teams seeking power hitters. The Boston Red Sox, who missed out on Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, view him as a viable option for their lineup. The San Diego Padres, with Jake Cronenworth at first base amid trade rumors, ranked third in the Majors for lowest strikeout rate in 2025, bolstered by Luis Arraez's MLB-best 3.1% K rate—though Arraez is a free agent.
The Chicago Cubs, sixth in lowest strikeout rate, have successfully integrated Japanese players like Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga and could use Murakami as a designated hitter or to spell Michael Busch and Matt Shaw. The Los Angeles Angels need a third baseman after trading Taylor Ward and could benefit from his home run threat, despite their league-high strikeout rate last season. Other fits include the Arizona Diamondbacks at corner infield spots, given their seventh-best strikeout rate, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, who need power after failing to land Schwarber and Josh Naylor.
One projection suggests Murakami could sign a seven-year, $140 million deal with the Angels, who have struggled recently but continue to pursue stars. Sources doubt he will return to Japan, expecting a deal to materialize.