Could The Angels Next Big Move Come From Overseas?
One of the biggest stars from the Nippon Professional Baseball League, Munetaka Murakami, has been posted for all 30 MLB clubs to make their best and most competitive contract offers. Murakami made waves after hitting a walk-off two-run homer in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and adding a solo shot in the final to secure Japan’s championship victory. Since then, the Japanese slugger has produced back-to-back seasons with 20 or more home runs for the Yakult Swallows, a step back from his breakout 2022 campaign, when he launched 56 homers. Now at 25, Murakami could fill one of the Los Angeles Angels’ biggest needs as the 2026 offseason officially begins.
For the Halos, the timing could not be better. The team has struggled to find a consistent everyday third baseman, especially after losing a few to free agency. Murakami would not only stabilize that position but also provide the Angels with the middle-of-the-order bat they’ve been missing. His arrival would mark a new chapter for the franchise, one powered by international star talent.
The thing with Murakami is that while he can launch balls into orbit, he also strikes out at a high rate. His whiff percentage has risen over the past few years, peaking at 37.3% in 2024 before slightly improving to 36.7% in 2025. Even with strikeout issues, he still managed to post solid numbers, but can that success translate to MLB pitching? Facing elite power arms such as Paul Skenes and Aroldis Chapman, both capable of reaching triple digits, will be the true test of whether going all-in on the Japanese star is worth the risk.
Murakami’s closest MLB comparisons might be Rafael Devers or Matt Olson. Two players who produce hard contact and game-changing power but occasionally struggle with consistency at the plate. Both are middle-of-the-lineup sluggers capable of shifting momentum with one swing, and Murakami fits that same profile. If the Angels decide to take the gamble on his high-risk, high-reward bat, they’ll be betting on a player who mirrors both the strengths and shortcomings of some of baseball’s most formidable hitters.
Off the field, Anaheim makes sense as a landing spot. The Angels share the Los Angeles market with the Dodgers but offer less immediate pressure to deliver. Southern California also boasts one of the largest Japanese-American communities in the U.S., along with a passionate fanbase that embraced Shohei Ohtani during his tenure with the Halos. The organization’s experience supporting international players on and off the field would help ease Murakami’s transition to MLB life. Adding another Japanese superstar could reignite global interest in the Angels and help reconnect the franchise with fans who have felt the void since Ohtani’s departure in 2023.
Competition will be fierce for Murakami’s services. Big-market teams such as the Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets are expected to make strong pushes, with the posting fee from the Swallows projected to exceed $30 million. Still, that shouldn’t deter the Angels from staying in the mix. Signing Murakami would not only fill a key positional need but also symbolize a franchise ready to redefine its future; one built on global appeal, offensive firepower, and renewed ambition.
