MLB Trade Rumors: 4 Teams In Pursuit of 56-HR Japanese Slugger in Free Agency
There's a big new name entering the free agent market for MLB this winter. 6'2", 210-pound Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is getting posted by the Yakult Swallows of the NPB in Japan.
Japanese INF Munetaka Murakami is expected to be posted for MLB Teams this winter, per @Feinsand
— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) October 10, 2025
Murakami, 25, has hit 265 HRs over 8 seasons in Japan. He posted a 1.051 OPS and 26 HRs in 69 games this season. pic.twitter.com/NRCZ6NF1NI
Murakami is a masher, with 256 home runs already, at the ripe young age of 25. He launched 56 bombs for the Swallows in 2022 and has added another 88 over the past three seasons, though he missed half the season in 2025. This year, he blasted 22 HRs in only 56 games at the top level in Japan, with a 1.043 OPS. He has a career .394 on base pct., and a .945 OPS.
The Swallows are “willing” to post the two-time Central League Most Valuable Player and four-time All-Star, per mlb.com's Mark Feinsand.
“He has legit power,” one scout who has watched Murakami told Feindsand. “It should translate to the majors.”
According to Nikkan Sports in Japan, 4 contending teams are expected to be in the running to sign Murakami: The New York Yankees, NY Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners.
Of those teams, the Mets and the Mariners could have openings at first base next season, if Pete Alonso and Josh Naylor, respectively, head elsewhere in free agency. The Phillies could have a massive void at DH if they can't re-sign Kyle Schwarber, and could even consider moving Bryce Harper back to the outfield to make room at first base.
But if there's a big name—especially a Japanese name—on the market like this, we shouldn't discount the chances of the LA Dodgers. They have plenty of Murakami's countrymen already in their clubhouse with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. The San Francisco Giants will also make a big push as they always do for every big, shiny free agent name.
LA could have room at third base, if they pass on their $10M team option for Max Muncy. The Giants could use Murakami at first and keep Rafael Devers in the DH slot.
For clubs who aren't able to sign one of the other big corner men/DHs on the open market this winter—Schwarber, Nalyor, Alonso, Eugenio Suárez and Alex Bregman—the Japanese masher could be a good alternative.
Photo: © Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
