The MLB posting deadline day for Munetaka Murakami is nearing, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are receiving a bold message from an MLB analyst over their potential interest in the Japanese star.
Murakami was limited to 56 games this season after suffering an oblique injury, yet still managed to crush 22 home runs while posting a .273/.379/.663 slash line.
Furthermore, teams are aware of the risk, especially with strikeouts and an elevated swing-and-miss rate on pitches in the zone. Even so, the combination of Murakami’s youth and long-term upside remains difficult to ignore.
On December 18, MLB commentator Matt Vasgersian shared a bold take regarding the Pirates making a run for Murakami ahead of his posting deadline on December 22.
“I think [the Pirates are] the perfect team [for Murakami],” Vasgersian said on MLB Network. “They need power. They need some run producers in the middle of their lineup. They’re the perfect team to take a flyer on Murakami, on the Japanese power bad import. Take the chance.
“If you’re a team that’s ready to win this year and you take a chance on this guy and it doesn’t work, it’s going to cost you. The Pirates are in a place where they can take chances here. This guy might work out for them.”
Pirates Among Teams Linked to Munetaka Murakami
As the deadline to sign Murakami approaches, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi provided an update on the situation on December 12. Furthermore, he mentioned the Pirates as a potential surprise landing spot.
“Murakami is of interest to teams like the Red Sox, the Mariners, the Tigers, the Phillies, the Mets, the Blue Jays, a lot of different teams,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “The Pirates, I have been told, are connected to Murakami. If you want to sign Murakami, you only have 10 more days to do it. And so if the [Alex] Bregman market is going to continue into the new year, and if you’re thinking about Bregman or the power of Murakami.
“All the power that he’s had in the past, the 56-homer season, a really intriguing lefty bat. Yeah, there’s some swing and miss, but he’s a guy that a lot of teams like. You can’t wait forever on Bregman because Murakami is no longer a secondary option once you get past December 22.”
Munetaka Murakami Saga Has Been Quiet
Although Murakami is the next Japanese import to MLB, his posting period has been relatively quiet so far. Nonetheless, Bob Nightengale of USA Today offered some insider insight into the situation during a December 17 appearance on “Foul Territory.”
“I think it’s more on behalf of what [Murakami] wants. He wants it to be quiet. Roki Sasaki is pretty quiet, too. Everybody assumed it was going to be the Dodgers. Then we heard the Padres, but it wasn’t like he was out there announcing. It was just when he got spotted. For Murakami not to be doing tours and not being spotted on social media, I think, helps him. I bet it’s what he wants.
“I’m sure he told his agency, let’s keep this quiet. For all we know, the Tigers are all lined up on him. Tigers would like to have a third baseman. It would seem like they would get one of these guys. Maybe it’s Murakami; they spend that money. Kudos to him for keeping it quiet. It may just be out of the blue on Monday. Like, ‘Okay, here it is.’”
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