Munetaka Murakami
25-Year-Old
Free Agent
2025 Stats
AVG
.000
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
2026 Projections
Officially posted for MLB teams
The Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball posted Murakami for major-league teams Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis
Murakami's 45-day negotiating window begins Saturday, and he will have until Dec. 22 to reach a deal with an MLB club. The 25-year-old has collected a .945 OPS in eight seasons in Japan and is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign that still saw him slug 22 home runs over 56 games. Murakami has swing-and-miss concerns -- he had a 29.5 percent strikeout rate during his last full season in 2024 -- but his power is expected to translate to MLB if he makes enough contact. The left-handed hitter has mostly played third base in NPB, but there's a good chance he'll shift to first base on this side of the Pacific.
Murakami's 45-day negotiating window begins Saturday, and he will have until Dec. 22 to reach a deal with an MLB club. The 25-year-old has collected a .945 OPS in eight seasons in Japan and is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign that still saw him slug 22 home runs over 56 games. Murakami has swing-and-miss concerns -- he had a 29.5 percent strikeout rate during his last full season in 2024 -- but his power is expected to translate to MLB if he makes enough contact. The left-handed hitter has mostly played third base in NPB, but there's a good chance he'll shift to first base on this side of the Pacific.
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More Fantasy News
Expected to be posted this winter
Murakami is expected to be posted for major-league teams by the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball this offseason, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Planning to go to MLB in 2026
Murakami plans to play in the major leagues in 2026, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports.
Analysis
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Signs with MLB agent Close
Murakami signed with MLB agent Casey Close on Saturday, per the Yakyu Cosmopolitan.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Backup plan to Bregman?
The Cubs could consider pursuing Murakami if they're unable to sign Alex Bregman, Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis
There are doubts about Murakami's ability to handle third base defensively, making him a questionable fit for a Cubs team that already has Matt Shaw at the hot corner. Murakami, 25, has also been connected to the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Phillies, Giants, Red Sox and Rockies. He has until Dec. 22 to reach a deal with a major-league club.
There are doubts about Murakami's ability to handle third base defensively, making him a questionable fit for a Cubs team that already has Matt Shaw at the hot corner. Murakami, 25, has also been connected to the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Phillies, Giants, Red Sox and Rockies. He has until Dec. 22 to reach a deal with a major-league club.