A Japanese Slugger Looms Over MLB Free Agency: Who Will Acquire the Star Infielder?
The annual cycle of baseball free agency always promises drama. Yet, the 2025-2026 offseason is set to once again become an international spectacle. The reason is the long-anticipated posting of Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami from the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball, also known as the NPB. At just 26 years old heading into the 2026 season, Murakami is not just an intriguing international signing; he is the most explosive left-handed power bat to leave Japan since Shohei Ohtani.
The Profile of an Elite Slugger
Munetaka Murakami’s résumé in Japan is nothing short of historic. The corner infielder established himself as a true generational power threat, culminating in a 2022 season where he became the youngest player in NPB history to capture the Triple Crown. That year, he hit the most home runs ever by a Japanese-born player with a record 56 while boasting a .318 batting average, plus 134 RBI, recording a staggering 1.168 OPS. The following two seasons, he came back down to Earth, hitting around .250 and 30 homers both years. Before bouncing back in a shortened stretch this past season with an OPS over 1.000 and 24 homers in 69 games. His career NPB numbers, 246 home runs and a .951 OPS through eight seasons, speak to his long stretch of dominance. While he has primarily played third base in Japan, scouts project him as a first baseman or designated hitter in MLB due to concerns over his defense. That, combined with his slightly high strikeout rate, might quell his market. Nevertheless, his left-handed raw power is considered elite, making him a tantalizing middle-of-the-order threat for any MLB club.
Unrestricted Free Agency Fuels the Bidding War
What truly elevates Murakami's market influence is his eligibility status. Since he is over 25 years old and has accrued enough professional experience. This means will not be subject to the MLB amateur free agent restrictions. This status allows him to sign a full, long-term, unrestricted major-league contract with any of the 30 clubs. Similar to that of Yoshinobu Yamamoto leading into the 2024 season.
The absence of bonus pool limitations leaves open the possibility of a massive bidding war. Murakami's contract could easily surpass the recent deals given to Japanese position players Masataka Yoshida, $90 million, and Seiya Suzuki, $85 million. It is his age and high power potential that could stretch this deal even higher, as teams would be buying into his prime years of his mid to late 20s. While we don’t know what the upper limit is, we have seen players of similar age in Yamamoto and Juan Soto deal for upwards of 12 years. While Yamamoto was a pitcher and Soto had experience in the MLB, those factors aren’t enough to rule out the possibility of an eight-year deal. That would carry Murakami through his age-33 season.
