MLB insider makes crystal clear case for 26-year-old slugger Munetaka Murakami "best fit" with Red Sox

There is considerable speculation surrounding Munetaka Murakami's potential destination in the MLB. The Japanese slugger poses a high-risk, high-reward signing for any team that could be looking to take a chance with a powerful at-bat that strikes out a lot.

Munetaka Murakami, at age 22, broke the Nippon Professional Baseball League home run record with 56 dingers in 2022. He had a 20.9% strikeout rate that season. That increased exponentially to 28.1% in 2023 and 29.5% in 2024, when he hit just 64 home runs in 996 at-bats across the two seasons.

His strikeout rate remained a high 28.6% in 2025, but he connected 22 home runs in 56 games in an injury-curtailed season. Approaching his age-26 season, Murakami could prove to be a Kyle Schwarber or Giancarlo Stanton-type hitter, although both sluggers have improved their plate discipline over the years.

According to The Athletic's Andy McCullough in his latest article on Tuesday, the Red Sox could be a team that takes the gamble. He managed to do an elimination process and concluded with Boston as the best fit.

"I placed Murakami with the Red Sox, in part, through the process of elimination," McCullough wrote. "David Stearns says he wants to improve the Mets’ run-prevention machine, and Murakami doesn’t really grade as a defensive upgrade over Pete Alonso.

"The Dodgers don’t have a place in their lineup for him. I think the Phillies will re-up with another slugger you’ll read about shortly. So the best fit for Murakami, a 26-year-old with incredible power but glaring questions about his ability to make contact, might be the Red Sox."

Murakami is a below-average third baseman in the NPB, meaning he would have to play as a first baseman or designated hitter in the Red Sox lineup that has prioritized defense. The team is actively pursuing third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency and already has the services of Triston Casas at first, unless they want to trade the latter to make space for someone like Murakami.

ESPN insider believes Yankees could be better fit for Munetaka Murakami

Opposing McCullough in an article dated on the same day, ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel claimed the New York Yankees could potentially sign Murakami for his raw power.

"The Yankees have a history of highly valuing exit velocity and age when it comes to acquiring players, so they're one of the rumored potential landing spots more because of their expected evaluation of Murakami, rather than needing power in the lineup from a corner position per se," he wrote.

Adding to a team that boasts similar but advanced players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton could suit the Yankees' system. But Japanese players in the past have been unwilling to head to the Bronx. Teams have till December 22 to sign his services.