Different teams are checking their checkbooks to make sure they have enough capital to go after the Japanese jewel who is set to break into MLB, Munetaka Murakami. His hitting power is what enamors several organizations that are planning next season contemplating him as a reinforcement.
Those interested in his services must get to work from November 8, the date on which the official posting process begins. They have 45 days to negotiate his signing, because the negotiation window closes on December 22. The Japanese player is free to sign without being subject to international bonus limits.
Murakami plays in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. His team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, will charge a transfer fee based on the proportion of the contract he signs in MLB. CBS Sports estimates the following percentages:
- Less than US$25 million: 20% of the contract value
- Between $25 million and $50 million: $5 million plus 17.5% of the amount over $25 million
- More than $50 million: $9.275 million plus 15% of the amount over $50 million
Which teams could sign Munetaka Murakami?
At 25 years of age, and based on his statistics as a power hitter, experts predict that he could receive a six-year contract worth $140 million. This amount would be in addition to the $22 million payment for the transfer fee.
According to those numbers, the MLB organizations that would be willing to pay for him are: Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets and New York Yankees.
What is it about Murakami that makes people fall in love with him?
In 2022, he set a new home run record in Japan after hitting 56 in a single season. In the last campaign, he played 69 games as a result of elbow surgery. Despite this, he sent the ball out of the stadium 24 times, finishing third in that category even though he played less than the first two.
Perhaps the only drawback that can be found as a complete player is his strikeout rate. In three consecutive seasons he has exceeded the 28% mark, which could have a significant impact when negotiating.
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