Power-hitting infielder Munetaka Murakami enters MLB posting system, can
be signed until Dec. 22
[November 08, 2025]
NEW YORK (AP) — Power-hitting Japanese corner infielder Munetaka
Murakami is entering Major League Baseball's posting system and will be
available to teams to sign as a free agent from Saturday through Dec.
22.
Murakami, who turns 26 on Feb. 2, was the Central League's MVP in 2021
and '22 with the Yakult Swallows and is a four-time All-Star. |
Japan third baseman Munetaka Murakami (55) runs the bases after hitting
a home run during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic game
against the United States, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP
Photo/Marta Lavandier, File) |
|
He batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs this season, limited
to 56 games by an oblique injury. He struck out 64 times.
Murakami hit 56 homers in 2022 to break Sadaharu Oh’s record for
a Japanese-born player in Nippon Professional Baseball while
becoming the youngest player to earn Japan’s Triple Crown. He
topped 30 homers in four straight years before an
injury-interrupted season in 2023.
He has a .270 career average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs and 977
strikeouts in 892 games over eight Central League seasons, all
with the Swallows.
After playing primarily at first base in 2019 and 2020, he has
spent most of his time since at third.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Murakami hit a ninth-inning
walk-off double off Giovanny Gallegos that scored Shohei Ohtani
and Masataka Yoshida to give Japan a 6-5 semifinal win over
Mexico. The following day in the championship game, Murakami hit
a tying home run off Merrill Kelly in the second inning and
Japan went on to beat the United States 3-2.
Under the agreement between MLB and NPB, the posting fee will be
20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract,
including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to
17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50
million. There would be a supplemental fee of 15% of any earned
bonuses, salary escalators and exercised options.
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