After a long winter of speculation, the Mets managed to retain Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million contract, including a player option for 2026. However, that deal seems to be only a temporary fix, if he maintains his current level of offensive production, all indications are that Alonso will exercise his option to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
The 2025 campaign has been one of the strongest for the first baseman, who continues to prove why he is one of the most feared sluggers in the National League. That’s why his market value will be high and the chances of him signing a multi-year contract outside of New York increase. In that scenario, the Mets would not only lose a key figure, but also their main power weapon.
Munetaka Murakami: the Japanese slugger who could play first base for the Mets
With the real possibility of Pete Alonso leaving, the organization is already considering heavyweight alternatives. According to journalist John Heyman of the New York Post, one of the most attractive options for the Mets would be Munetaka Murakami, star of the Yakult Swallows in the Japanese League (NPB). The left-handed slugger is willing to sign with MLB teams this winter and his name is generating excitement in more than one Major League Baseball front office.
Munetaka Murakami has put up impressive numbers in the NPB this season, hitting .315 with a 1.118 OPS and already has 20 home runs in just 48 games. He also became world famous during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he shone with key hits against Mexico and the United States.
Who is Munetaka Murakami? The profile of Pete Alonso’s possible successor in New York
At 25 years of age, Murakami is considered one of the best hitters in Japan and an international figure. He has already been twice MVP of the NPB and in 2022 broke the home run record for a Japanese player in a single season, surpassing even legends such as Sadaharu Oh. His move to Major League Baseball seems imminent and several teams, including the Mets, have him in their sights.
In addition to his ability to hit powerfully to all fields, Murakami also offers discipline at the plate, something that has characterized the great hitters who have made the jump from Japan to MLB. His youth, projection and proven performance make him a tempting gamble if the Mets decide not to retain Alonso or if he decides to seek a longer contract elsewhere.
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