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6h ago

Mets’ Stearns Travels to Tokyo to Scout Slugger Munetaka Murakami

Stearns visited Tokyo to assess Murakami’s recovery alongside his power potential before his expected NPB posting this winter, with Alonso’s contract decision looming.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on September 14, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Stearns attended an Aug. 12 game at Meiji Jingu Stadium, where Murakami delivered a walk-off two-run homer in his presence.
  • Murakami is projected to be available to MLB clubs via the NPB posting system after the 2025 season.
  • The 25-year-old slugger set his league’s native-player single-season home run record with 56 in 2022 and has posted five straight seasons of at least 30 homers.
  • An elbow surgery in December and subsequent setbacks have limited him to just 13 games this season, raising durability concerns.
  • Multiple high-spending franchises, including the Dodgers, Yankees, Padres and Mariners, are expected to vie for his services as the Mets consider him a first/third-base contingency plan if Alonso departs.