Major league teams have been waiting for Yakult Swallows third baseman Munetaka Murakami to be posted for the past three years. That day has finally come.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Murakami will be posted on Friday. Teams will have a 45-day window, starting on Saturday, to sign Murakami; otherwise, he will return to Japan for the 2026 season.
Murakami has an impressive resume in Nippon Professional Baseball. A four-time All-Star, he won two Central League MVP awards, hit for the Triple Crown in 2022 when he set an NPB record for most home runs in a season by a Japanese player (56) and was named to the Best Nine three times. Murakami has posted a .270/.394/.557 batting line over 3,780 plate appearances, hitting 246 homers and 146 doubles.
As impressive as his power potential may be, there are still questions surrounding Murakami. His defense at third is considered a liability due to his limited range and mobility. Murakami has battled injuries over the past two seasons, missing approximately two-thirds of the 2025 NPB season. However, Murakami’s power potential should be enough for teams to overlook
Murakami is one of the best hitting free agents available this offseason. Let’s take a look at three possible landing spots for the Japanese third baseman.
New York Yankees
Third base has been a black hole for the Yankees in recent history, leading New York to acquire glove-first infielder Ryan McMahon ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. While McMahon was a drastic defensive upgrade, saving six runs at third, his .208/.308/.333 batting line with four homers and eight doubles over 185 plate appearances left a lot to be desired.
The Yankees also have a potential opening at first base. Paul Goldschmidt is likely to depart in free agency after spending 2025 in New York. Ben Rice performed admirably at first down the stretch and may get a chance to be the long-term answer, but Murakami could be an option there as well. The Yankees need another impact bat in the lineup and Murakami could be an answer.
New York Mets
The Yankees’ crosstown rivals should also be in play for Murakami, although for different reasons. First baseman Pete Alonso opted out of the final year of his two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets, hoping for a more robust market in his second go-around in free agency. Murakami could be a more cost-effective option at first while continuing to provide the type of power that the Mets need.
Murakami also makes sense for the Mets even if Alonso returns. Starling Marte served as the Mets primary designated hitter in 2025, posting a .270/.335/.410 batting line over 329 plate appearances, hitting nine home runs and 14 doubles. The Mets need better production out of the DH spot if their championship dreams will become reality. Slotting Murakami as the DH would alleviate concerns about his defense while providing a solid power bat to the lineup.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners were active at the 2025 trade deadline, upgrading their first and third basemen by acquiring Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez, respectively. Both players are free agents, leaving openings at the corners of the Mariners infield. While the Mariners reportedly consider retaining Naylor to be a priority, that would still leave an opening at third.
Murakami has the type of power potential that could help transform the Mariners lineup. He would provide another powerful bat to go along with catcher Cal Raleigh and outfielders Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena. The Mariners also have an opening at DH with Jorge Polanco declining his end of a mutual option for 2026 to enter free agency. Murakami could be the answer there as well if the Mariners are uncomfortable with his defense at third and retain Naylor.
AloJapan.com