MLB Insider Reveals Intriguing Option for Reds in Free Agency

The Reds have signed two relief pitchers this offseason to secure their bullpen, but have yet to add any offense, which was clearly their biggest need.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden picked out a match that he feels is perfect for the Reds. That match is Japanese superstar, Munetaka Murakami.

He had the Mariners, Reds, and Marlins as the best fits.

"Murakami has tremendous power and enough swing-and-miss to make executives nervous," Bowden wrote. "He might have to sign a shorter-term deal than he expected to prove he'll be able to cut down on the punchouts. His window to sign with an MLB team closes on Dec. 22 so teams need to decide soon if the risk on the strikeouts is worth the reward of power."

In 2025, he dealt with multiple injuries, 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 out of Cincinnati's price range. I would be shocked if Cincinnati found a way to sign Murakami. It feels like a risk the front office would not be willing to take.

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