Overview
- ESPN's Jeff Passan reports Murakami is likely to choose an MLB team between the Winter Meetings and the holidays.
- Buster Olney notes some front offices question whether his strikeout rate and defense will translate to MLB.
- MLB insider Mark Feinsand urges Seattle to pursue him to replace Eugenio Suárez at third base, though Josh Naylor’s five-year deal complicates the first base and DH alignment.
- Murakami brings a decorated NPB résumé, including two Central League MVPs and a 2022 Triple Crown, with 265 career home runs.
- Recent reports say an oblique injury limited his 2025 NPB season to roughly 56–69 games, during which he hit 22–24 home runs.