Should Reds Sign Intriguing Prospect in Free Agency?

The Tokyo Swallows are expected to post Munetaka Murakami for MLB teams on Friday, according to MLB.com's Jeff Passan.

This means that Murakami has a 45-day negotiating window to come to a deal with an MLB team.

The Japanese superstar dealt with an elbow injury and an oblique injury during the 2025 season, which led him to play in just 69 games. However, in those 69 games, he tore the cover off the ball.

The 25-year-old slashed .286/.392/.659 with 34 extra-base hits, including 24 home runs.

Murakami played mostly third base in Japan, but he struggled defensively at the position, and projects as a first baseman or DH in the majors.

The Reds could certainly use a power bat in their lineup and Murakami could provide that. They've struggled at the DH spot ever since the DH spot became a thing in the National League.

However, there are some question marks when it comes to Murakami and whether his talent will translate to Major League Baseball.

His Z-Contact%, which is how often a player makes contact in the strike zone, is at just 73%. To put that in comparison, MLB's average for Z-Contact% in 2025 was around 83%. He also strikes out a lot and that number is only likely to increase when he faces better pitching in MLB.

CBS Sports's CJ Anderson projected Murakami to get a six-year, $140 million contract.

Whatever team that signed him will also have to pay his posting fee.

While that contract isn't huge, it is most likely out of Cincinnati's price range. Although he's just 25, if the Reds front office has money to spend, the safer option would be to sign someone like Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso.

According to CBS Sports, the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Padres, Rangers, and Tigers are all teams that are expected to try to sign the Japanese phenom.

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