A Japanese dwelling run king formally entered the posting system Friday, opening up a 45-day negotiating window for MLB groups to courtroom him. Munetaka Murakami, a 25-year-old slugger who performs each first and third base, is anticipated to headline a deep class of Asian expertise trying to come to North America this winter.
Might he be a match for the Mets? Effectively, sure, but in addition no. Possibly.
A left-handed energy hitter, Murakami set the single-season dwelling run document for a Japanese participant in Nippon Skilled Baseball when he hit 56 for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2022. It broke Sadaharu Oh’s document of 55, which was set in 1964. Over eight seasons in Japan, Murakami has crushed 246 homers, hitting .270 with a .951 OPS.
In August, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns took a visit to Japan to scout him. Nevertheless, earlier than you go attempting to attach any dots, Stearns is just not the one MLB government that went abroad to see his energy in individual. Although the facility is an apparent draw, a Mets pursuit would in all probability imply that Pete Alonso’s days in Queens are accomplished.
Alonso is a free agent for the second yr in a row after opting out of the ultimate yr of his contract final week. Whereas he has been vocal about his want to return to the staff that drafted him out of the College of Florida in 2016, he made a reasonably good case for a long-term contract and a giant pay day along with his 2025 manufacturing.
The 30-year-old Alonso hit .272 with an .871 OPS, 38 dwelling runs and a league-leading 41 doubles. The primary baseman performed in all 162 video games for the second yr in a row, was named an All-Star for the fourth straight season and for the fifth time in his profession, and have become the Mets’ all-time dwelling run chief in August when he broke Darryl Strawberry’s document of 252. The Polar Bear stands alone on the prime with 264.
This got here after two down seasons for Alonso, displaying that he’s acquired loads left within the tank in his 30s. The 2019 Rookie of the 12 months confronted questions on regression after 2023 and 2024, although he assuaged a few of these considerations with a monster postseason final fall. A fan favourite, he values the group like few others who’ve come by means of Flushing.
However Stearns has by no means been Alonso’s largest fan. Final winter, it was proprietor Steve Cohen who made the decisive name to carry Alonso again on a bridge deal. Cohen additionally has a robust relationship with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras. The tremendous agent additionally represents Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo and Sean Manaea.
The 2 gamers have loads of variations, however they basically play the identical function as an influence bat both excessive up or towards the center of the order. Each would provide safety behind Soto, however they each strike out quite a bit as nicely. Neither one offers Gold Glove-worthy protection.
The are likely to strike out at excessive charges. Prolific energy hitters are likely to strike out at excessive clips, so the road of pondering is usually, you’ll be able to stay with them so long as you get the facility manufacturing. Nevertheless, you don’t need too many high-strikeout hitters in a single lineup. Alonso lower down on his chase charges in 2024, although they went again up a bit in 2025. Murakami, alternatively, swings and misses on pitches within the zone and out of it.
Murakami could be an awesome candidate for the Mets in the event that they lose out on Alonso, however the timing complicates the matter. His negotiation window opens Saturday at 8 a.m. ET, and can expire at 5 p.m. on Dec. 22. That leaves solely a brief window for the Mets to determine whether or not they can retain Alonso as nicely. It’s additionally not clear whether or not or not Murakami would wish to play first base full time. If the Mets do signal Murakami, they might transfer Mark Vientos to first base and use Murakami at third or as a DH, however they could need to commerce away both Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio to make sure that everybody has taking part in time.
Run prevention and elementary protection shall be priorities for the Mets subsequent season. Murakami would possibly solely complicate an already-complicated third base scenario.
Nonetheless, he’s an attractive participant for a staff who had a wildly inconsistent offense final season. Plus, we all know cash isn’t a priority with Cohen, and Murakami received’t come low cost. Signing gamers by means of posting requires groups to pay a price to the Asian groups they transferred from. The charges begin at 20% for the primary $25 million, 17.5% for the following $25 million and an extra 15% on each greenback above $50 million.
Murakami may obtain a nine-figure contract with a posting price of at the least $16.9 million.
Alonso is reportedly looking for a seven-year contract. Final yr, he sought a multi-year pact for $150 million. He didn’t get it, and it’s unclear if a staff is keen to pay that a lot for a right-handed first baseman who shall be 31 subsequent season.
The reply is difficult. The Mets could make Murakami match, they usually also can make Alonso match. However it’s unlikely they find yourself with each.
