Overview
- Murakami’s posting period ends at 5 p.m. on December 22, leaving a narrow window for a deal.
- Recent coverage describes a quiet market, with negotiations affected by roster fits, swing-and-miss concerns, and valuation gaps.
- Prediction-market odds reported by The Mirror US place the Dodgers as slight favorites, with the Giants, Yankees, Mets and Angels closely behind.
- Some projections peg his potential contract near $160 million, according to estimates cited by Newsweek.
- The 25-year-old left-handed power hitter, a third baseman who can play first, hit a Japanese-born player record 56 home runs in 2022 and is expected to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March.