Toronto Blue Jays in mix for free agent Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays are showing interest in free agent Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami.
The Blue Jays are typically at least in the mix for every prominent free agent in a given offseason these days.
Coming off a run to Game 7 of the World Series gives the Blue Jays some extra financial resources and also makes a compelling selling point to free agents who want to be sure they're joining a contender.
When Blue Jays reeled in high-profile free agent Dylan Cease for the top of the rotation, and KBO MVP Cody Ponce for the fifth spot, that opened the eyes of other potential free agents looking to go to a contender.
One such free agent is Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.
The 25-year-old left handed slugger was posted by the Yakult Swallows and has until Dec. 22 to sign with a team in MLB.
The Blue Jays aren't the only AL East team interested in Murakami
MLB Network's Jon Morosi says both the Blue Jays and the Red Sox have shown interest in signing him.
The Blue Jays have interest in Japanese 1B/3B Munetaka Murakami, according to Jon Morosi
Toronto has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. installed at first base. George Springer will likely get the bulk of the DH reps in 2026 but is a free agent next offseason.
Murakami could split time between third base, first base and DH in '26, with Addison Barger playing right field on days he's at the hot corner and Guerrero getting a DH breather on days when Murakami is at first base.
24-year-old Munetaka Murakami became the youngest player in NPB history to reach 200 career home runs
Murakami slashed .270/.394/.557 with the Swallows, though there is plenty of swing-and-miss to his game.
He struck out at least 28% of the time in each of his last three seasons. Strikeout numbers are typically lower in NPB, so that mark should be expected to rise when Murakami faces MLB pitching.
Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off home run last night and watched every second of it. The 25-year-old third baseman will be signed by an MLB team this offseason
Who ever signs Murakami will have to pay a posting fee to the Swallows. The fee is 20% of the contract's first $25MM, 17.5% of the next $25MM, and 15% of spending above $50MM.
He has till December 22 to sign with an MLB team.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 96 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays in mix for free agent Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami Do you think the Blue Jays should sign free agent slugger Munetaka Murakami? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 61.5 % |
| No | 37 | 38.5 % |
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