The Los Angeles Dodgers have committed themselves to being an organization that’s aggressive both on the trade and free agent market as they look to compete for a World Series each season.
That has also translated to the international free agent market as the club has signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Hyeseong Kim in the past 13 months. Yamamoto received the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history.
Now, another superstar from Japan is set to make the jump to MLB after the 2025 season in Munetaka Murakami of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.
The 24-year-old confirmed he will be coming to MLB, and the Dodgers are likely to be one of the favorites to land the corner infielder. To add to the intrigue, Murakami may have hinted to the Dodgers being his preferred destination on his social media via a fashion statement as he is wearing an L.A. cap.
あけましておめでとうございます🎊 pic.twitter.com/ZBOt8Dln3H
— 村上宗隆 (@munetaka55ys) December 31, 2024
Because the Dodgers’ brand has an influence on a global scale, and specifically in Japan, there many not be much that can be drawn from Murakami wearing the iconic logo besides seeing that he is fond of them as a whole. However, Yamamoto also had pictures of himself in Dodgers gear prior to signing and was a fan of the team.
The Dodgers will also have openings at third base and first base in the coming years with both Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman playing in their late 30s and their contracts expiring on a timeline that easily works to add Murakami. Freeman is signed through the 2027 season while Muncy is signed through 2025 with a team option for 2026.
With Murakami being on the way for the 2026 MLB season, it’s something to take note of that he has played both third base and first base. While scouts project Murakami to be a first baseman at the MLB level, he could perhaps handle the hot corner until Freeman’s contract expires if he signs with the Dodgers.
Munetaka Murakami stats in NPB
In 836 NPB games, Murakami has slugged 224 home runs, driven in 600 runs with a combined .945 on-base plus slugging. He won back-to-back MVP titles from 2021 to 2022 in the Central League with a remarkable Central League Triple Crown in 2022.
He’ll reach free agency in a space where he can obtain an open market deal, not being bound by amateur posting limitations that players such as Roki Sasaki and Shohei Ohtani have followed. He will be in line for a significant payday on a long-term deal.
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