Mariners Could Be Out After New Update on Japanese Slugger

Seattle will likely move on to other targets.

Jun 5, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Seattle Mariners batting helmet and logo during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners have been relatively quiet since re-signing Josh Naylor back in November. Unfortunately, they have some holes to fill, as Jorge Polanco left in free agency for the New York Mets.

The Mariners could use a little bit of help in the infield. They have been pursuing Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte as potential replacements at second base for Polanco.

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is a free agent, and the deadline for him to sign is approaching. The Mariners have been linked to him several times, but a new update from Mark Feinsand could mean that they are now out of the running.

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Mariners May Be Out On Murakami

Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan third baseman Munetaka Murakami (55) hits a home run against the USA in the second inning at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

“Most teams view him as a first baseman despite the fact that he played roughly three-fourths of his games for the Yakult Swallows at third. Murakami’s power has been praised by talent evaluators -- most of whom believe that skill will translate from Japan to the Majors,” Feinsand wrote.

Of course, it’s unclear how the Mariners view Murakami. But if they view him as a first baseman rather than a third baseman, that would effectively take them out of the sweepstakes.

They already have Naylor at first base for the next five years, so it wouldn’t make sense for them to pursue Murakami if they view him as a first baseman. Right now, the Mariners seem more focused on trying to fill the void at second base, so Donovan and Marte make more sense as targets.

That will have to be done via trade, but the Mariners now seem unlikely to pursue Murakami, simply because they have Naylor at first base. And at third base, they have two internal options: Colt Emerson and Ben Williamson.

The deadline for Murakami to sign is December 22. If he does not sign by then, he will return to Japan for 2026 and will be posted again next offseason. 

It will be interesting to see what happens with his market, but the Mariners can likely be counted out of the sweepstakes, as they already have options at third base and have committed to Naylor as their starting first baseman for the next several years.

The Mariners need another bat to make another run to the postseason in 2026, but it may not be Murakami.

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