According to MLB reporter Mark Feinsand, the Los Angeles Dodgers could make a move for a coveted international free agent in the upcoming Major League Baseball offseason, which begins the day after the 2025 World Series ends, parting ways with All-Star third baseman Max Muncy in the process.
Sources say the Dodgers, Giants and Red Sox could also be in the mix, although much will depend on each team’s needs at first and/or third base, or designated hitter, Feinsand wrote. Los Angeles could consider parting ways with Max Muncy at third base, even though they have a one-year option for Muncy for $10 million.
What do the Dodgers need to do to exercise Max Muncy’s option?
Whether the Los Angeles Dodgers exercise Max Muncy’s option could largely depend on whether or not they can sign 25-year-old Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, who has built an impressive resume overseas in the NPB (Japan’s league), showing incredible power throughout his eight seasons of professional baseball. In 2025 he played only 56 games due to injury, but still posted a 1.043 OPS with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs
The third baseman has never posted an OPS lower than .800, and hit a career-high 56 home runs in 2022. He has hit 20 or more home runs in every professional season except his first, which was in 2018.
While the Dodgers may not be able to get the deal done five days after the World Series, when they have to decide on contract options, if the Dodgers are confident in their chances of getting Murakami, they could avoid extending an additional year to Max Muncy. The $10 million would be a high fee for a player who would likely spend most of his time on the bench, and the Dodgers still have No. 4 prospect Alex Freeland, who is younger and can play the same role.
Muncy has also had injury problems in 2025, although it would be unfair to blame him given the circumstances of his two stints on the disabled list. If the Dodgers have doubts about his future considering how this season played out, they could sit out in 2026.
The Dodgers’ Japanese investment
The Dodgers have made big international moves in recent seasons, bringing in both Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki from Japan, and Murakami could be the latest addition to the Dodgers dynasty. In addition to Shohei Ohtani, of course.
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