Munetaka Murakami to be Posted by Yokohama Swallows This Offseason
Yokohama Swallows infielder Munetaka Murakami will be posted to Major League Baseball after this season, giving MLB clubs the prospect to bid on the star slugger.The announcement marks a critically important growth in the pursuit of one of the most coveted international free agents available this winter.
Murakami,24,has established himself as a premier power hitter in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His potential arrival in MLB addresses needs for several teams, notably those with uncertainty at corner infield positions.The Mets face questions at both frist and third base with Pete Alonso likely to opt out of his contract, while the Yankees could explore first base options with Paul Goldschmidt entering free agency. Other teams potentially in the mix include the Astros, Cubs, Tigers, Angels, Mariners, and Reds, all of whom have current or projected openings at either first or third base.
The posting process will require any signing MLB team to pay a posting fee to the Swallows, calculated on a tiered system: 20% of the first $25 million of the contract, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount exceeding $50 million.This fee adds to the overall cost of acquiring Murakami,but his offensive potential is expected to draw considerable interest.
murakami has been a standout performer for the Swallows, showcasing a combination of power and on-base ability. His performance has made him a highly sought-after commodity, and several MLB teams reportedly considered pursuing him last winter. The Cubs, in particular, were known to have been strongly interested.
The market for Murakami is expected to develop further in the coming weeks. Clubs will now begin evaluating his skillset and preparing bids for his services. The posting process will ultimately determine which MLB team secures the rights to negotiate with Murakami, potentially reshaping their infield landscape for years to come.
