Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami Will Be Posted Friday
The top of the free-agent hitting market just got a bit more interesting, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami will be posted by the Yakult Swallows on Friday. The 25-year-old Murakami has been NPB’s premier power hitter since breaking into the league as a teenager, launching 246 homers over eight seasons. The best of those came in 2022, when he hit 56 homers to break the legendary Sadaharu Oh’s single-season record. Between that power and his relative youth, some believe Murakami could land a deal approaching $200 million.
There is, however, serious potential for him to struggle with strikeouts in MLB. The left-handed hitter has struck out at around a 29% clip over the last three seasons, and that number figures to increase significantly at the game’s highest level. As James Schiano of Rotoworld noted, Murakami hit .095 against pitches of 93 mph or higher last year. For context, the average MLB fastball was 94.1 mph in 2025.
Murakami is also a middling defensive player who has spent a lot of time at third base but probably fits best at first. Depending on whether and how the glove plays, DH is also a strong possibility.
The knee-jerk reaction is to say he’ll end up with the Dodgers, but they’re set at both infield corners and DH. So while they could still add him just for the hell of it, Murakami could just as likely end up in another big market. The Mets and Red Sox are among the teams expected to be in the hunt for his services, and I’m sure we’ll hear about other suitors once his 45-day negotiating window officially opens.
I suppose it’s possible the Cubs will kick the tires as they look to replace Kyle Tucker‘s production. Murakami would have to be okay with a primary DH role, which may be the case no matter where he goes. And, of course, Tom Ricketts will have to be okay with a very hefty posting fee. Per MLB’s arrangement with NBP, the Swallows will receive a sum equal to 20% of the deal’s first $25 million; 17.5% of the next $25 million; and 15% of anything after. That comes to nearly $30 million if he commands something close to the $180 million estimates out there.
It should be noted that ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has Murakami getting well under half of that figure — five years, $80 million — which would make his pursuit far more palatable. The best-case scenario for Murakami is Kyle Schwarber, who he somewhat resembles physically, but some believe Miguel Sanó is a more appropriate comp. As long as Murakami smashes 30+ homers a year, teams will be fine with an elevated strikeout rate.
