The Boston Red Sox have yet to make a significant splash in free agency this MLB offseason. However, they could be brewing a swoop of one or possibly two Japanese players to bolster their lineup for the 2026 season.
Boston are likely looking to retain free-agent hitter Alex Bregman, but it seems they might not want to put all their eggs in that basket. As a result, they may be considering other options.
On December 20, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported that the Red Sox have “kicked the tires” on Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami. Cotillo followed up on a report from MLB.com’s insider Mark Feinsand, who reported, citing sources, that the Chicago White Sox are among the teams currently engaged in talks with Murakami.
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.
Red Sox Among Several Teams Linked to Munetaka Murakami
The Red Sox’s interest in Murakami confirms the reporting from MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, who shared on December 12 the list of teams expressing interest in the power hitter.
“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. So if the 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.”
The Pirates Are Urged to Land Munetaka Murakami
Considering the concerns teams have with his strikeouts and an elevated swing-and-miss rate on pitches in the zone, Murakami could go to a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates on a short-term deal where there’s no pressure in adapting to the majors.
As a result, 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.”
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