It seems that the New York Mets are already planning to strengthen their bullpen for the next MLB season. However, the important issue here is that president David Stearns and his management team would move heaven and earth to bring in a new first baseman to replace Pete Alonso, and if they have to compete with the Dodgers, they will.
The Mets could be looking for a replacement for Pete Alonso, while the Los Angeles Dodgers could be considering moving Max Muncy from third base. The Mariners could also lose their corner players, making the Japanese diamond an attractive option. The Phillies could use him as a designated hitter, while Boston could need him at first base.
Munetaka Murakami, perfect replacement for Pete Alonso at the Mets
But what is a fact is that if there is one team that is most interested, it is the Dodgers. Whenever a star player comes from Japan, it generally means that they are involved in Los Angeles. From Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Shohei Ohtani and now Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles has become the preferred destination for the biggest names in Japanese baseball. We also saw how deep that connection runs during the 2025 Tokyo Series!
And now, it seems that Munetaka Murakami, Japan’s latest batting sensation, could be next in line to join them. According to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, “There’s a good chance he’ll immediately sign for more than $200 million. And probably with the Dodgers, much to the chagrin of most.” However, not everything would be so easy for Dave Roberts’ team.
Murakami’s numbers: 247 HR in Japan. He also broke the NPB single-season home run record with 56 in 2022 at just 22 years old. With that resume, it’s no surprise that MLB teams are lining up, but the Dodgers won’t have an easy path this time. The Mets are reportedly also in the mix. Team president David Stearns even made a trip to Japan earlier this year to scout Murakami in person.
Juan Soto with Mets would be highest paid player in MLB in 2026
Juan Soto will become the highest-paid player in MLB next season, with almost $62 million. The New York Mets’ Dominican outfielder has proven to be an unstoppable force on the field, and his new contract reflects his value. Soto, known for his ability to “hit the ball out of the park” and his presence at the plate, has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike.
Behind Soto, we find Zack Wheeler of the Phillies who will pocket $42,000,000. Wheeler has been a key piece in Philadelphia’s rotation, “throwing fire” from the mound and keeping opposing hitters at bay; Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays is also on the list, with a salary of $40,214,286.
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