San Francisco Giants Tied To Generational Superstar Japanese Slugger

In an article released on Friday October 10, 2025, MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported that sources say the San Francisco Giants could be in the mix for Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami. 

Murakami currently plays third base and first base for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball. 

He is famous for hitting 56 home runs in a single season in 2022, the most ever by a Japanese born player, and for being one of the biggest stars on Samurai Japan during the 2023 World Baseball classic. 

Feinsand expects the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners to make the strongest push for Murakami, with the Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox also involved. 

The Swallows previously said they will post Murakami for a move to the MLB this offseason. 

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Does Murakami Fit With The Giants? 

The Giants could certainly use more consistent offense, and they will certainly take that wherever they can get it. 

However, they are already paying Matt Chapman a lot of money to play third base, and Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge figure to handle the slugging at first base and designated hitter. 

Unless the Giants plan on doing something crazy like moving Eldridge to the outfield or Devers to second base, Murakami probably doesn’t fit on the Giants positionally. 

Giants fans would almost like to see the Giants acquire Murakami just to keep him away from their bitter rivals in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have seemed to corner the market on Japanese superstars in the last few seasons, bringing Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki to town. 

But as long as Murakami heads to the American League, the Giants will probably be content to let him sign somewhere else. 

But you never know with new Giants President of Baseball operations Buster Posey. He seems to be intent on bringing as much star power to San Francisco as he can. Inside sources believe Posey will at least give Murakami a look according to Feinsand, so this is worth following.

And speaking of the Dodgers, they have defied conventional wisdom by throwing money at seemingly every good player they can find, regardless of positional fit and organizational depth. Just look at their pitching staff. 

So maybe the Giants will take a page out of their rivals book, sign Murakami and figure out positional fit later, because you can never have too much hitting. 

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Giants Looking To Make A Splash In Asia 

The Giants may not be the favorites to land Murakami, but they are expected to pursue pitching help internationally. 

Insiders expect the Giants to pursue 26-year old superstar Japanese pitcher Hiroto Saiki of the Hanshin Tigers this offseason. Posey scouted him in Japan earlier in the season.

The Giants were rumored finalists for several top international signees in the recent past, including Ohtani, Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga. They did sign Jung Hoo Lee out of the KBO in 2024, and the Bay Area fanbase, which has a large Asian demographic, has really rallied behind Lee. 

Bringing in more stars from the KBO and NPB could be beneficial for the Giants as they seek to not only improve their roster but entice fans to come to Oracle Park. 

Giants fans, do you want to see San Francisco sign Munetaka Murakami? What about a different international free agent? 

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