The Boston Red Sox could soon join the race for one of Japan’s brightest baseball stars, Munetaka Murakami. According to a report by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball are expected to post Murakami this offseason, making him available to Major League Baseball teams.
After an injury-shortened season in which he still managed 22 home runs across just 56 games, the 25-year-old power hitter is now poised to make his long-awaited leap to the United States.
Several major franchises are reportedly showing strong interest in the young slugger, including the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners.
The Red Sox have also been named as a serious contender, especially given their current need for another big bat in the lineup.
Feinsand noted that Boston could deploy Murakami at first base, or possibly third base should Alex Bregman choose to opt out of his current deal and explore free agency this winter.
Murakami has already built an impressive reputation in Japan. His breakout 2022 season saw him crush 56 home runs while batting .318, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier hitters.
Though his production dipped slightly over the next two seasons—with a .250 batting average—he still combined for 64 home runs during that stretch. Despite some concerns from scouts about his strikeout rates and reduced walks, there’s no denying Murakami’s raw power and potential to make an impact in MLB.
Because Murakami is 25, he will not be subject to the international signing restrictions that once limited stars like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki.
This means he could command a record-breaking deal for a Japanese position player, possibly surpassing the five-year, $90 million contract the Red Sox gave to Masataka Yoshida.
If Boston is willing to invest heavily, Murakami could become the team’s next cornerstone hitter—an enticing option for a club looking to regain its offensive edge.
For the Red Sox, adding Murakami could address a major gap in their power production. Despite leading the league with 324 doubles this season, Boston’s top home run hitter, Trevor Story, managed just 25.
As the team looks to strengthen its middle-of-the-order presence and replace lost power from Rafael Devers’ absence, Murakami’s name naturally rises to the top of the list.
With his combination of youth, strength, and international pedigree, he could be exactly what Boston needs to reignite its pursuit of postseason success.
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