Munetaka Murakami Has Officially Been Posted By the NPB — Who Will He Sign With in the MLB?

Major news, I broke it all down for you

There’s a certain electricity that follows Munetaka Murakami — the kind that only a true home run king can carry. At 25 years old, Japan’s modern-day Babe Ruth has officially been posted for MLB teams, and the sweepstakes for his signature are already shaping up to be arguably the biggest storyline of the offseason.

Murakami isn’t a mystery to baseball fans anymore. For years, he’s been terrorizing Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers with a left-handed swing that looks built for American ballparks. His 2022 season — 56 home runs, a Triple Crown, and a Central League MVP — wasn’t just dominant; It was historic. He shattered the single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player and became a star overnight.

Now, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows’ franchise cornerstone is ready for the next chapter: Major League Baseball. And make no mistake — Murakami isn’t coming over to prove he belongs. He’s coming to prove he can dominate here too.

So, who exactly is getting ready to land him? That’s where the intrigue begins.

Top Options

The New York Yankees are the most obvious fit. They’ve chased left-handed power since forever. Pairing him with Aaron Judge would be dangerous for the 31 other teams. But New York isn’t the only suitor.

The Seattle Mariners have emerged as a trendy dark horse. Seattle’s history with Japanese players is rich, from Ichiro Suzuki to Yusei Kikuchi, Murakami could be the franchise’s next Japanese player. That kind of signing for Seattle would make them favorites. Forget title contenders. This would make them the team to beat. Eugenio Suarez comes back? Josh Naylor too? Plus you have two stars already in AL MVP candidate, Cal Raleigh, and the underrated, Julio Rodríguez. Yeah, that team would be hard to beat.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, meanwhile, loom as a powerhouse contender. Imagine that lineup: Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka Murakami — two Japanese megastars batting under the Hollywood lights. Don’t forget — this team won back to back with two Japanese pitchers in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have the money, and the winning culture to make Murakami feel right at home.

Boston and the New York Mets can’t be ignored either. Both teams have been disappointing recently, and are looking for the move to make them separated from the good teams and the middle.

Wherever he lands, Murakami’s going to be a star. I predict he’ll have 20+ home runs in just his rookie season. At his peak? Who knows how good he’ll be, but I bet you Murakami will be a star.

Defensively, the picture is less polished. Murakami played third and first base in Japan, but most MLB evaluators believe he’ll settle in at designated hitter. Still, when you hit like he does, nobody’s worried about the glove. If he becomes a league-average defender, he’s worth every penny.

Speaking of pennies — or rather, millions — Murakami’s contract could easily exceed $125-150 million. He’s young, marketable, and already proven. Unlike some older NPB hitters who came over late in their careers, Murakami has his prime ahead of him. Teams know that.

His 2025 season was shortened by an oblique injury, yet he still managed 22 homers in 56 games — a reminder that even when he’s not 100%, he’s incredible.

The arrival of Murakami represents more than just another international signing. Ohtani changed what’s possible, and now another Japanese star hitter is back on the market. Murakami has a ton of hype and a lot to prove — but he can be better than expected.

Where Will He Land?

Most think Los Angeles. Whether that’s the Angels or Dodgers. Seattle is another possibility. Some may say up on the East Coast. Boston? New York Yankees? I have my pick.

The New York Mets. They need to make another big signing like the Juan Soto blockbuster last offseason. They will make one at some point. Munetaka Murakami is the perfect option — especially for a DH and first base needing team. Wherever he ends up, Munetaka Murakami’s going to make baseball history, and this is going to be fun to watch!