Munetaka Murakami posting process, explained: How touted Japanese slugger will choose MLB team

As MLB heads into free agency, one of the most interesting players available is Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.

Japan has been a hotbed of recent talent, from Shohei Ohtani to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Murakami is the latest star to make the move to the United States. A lefty slugger who can play both first and third base, Murakami will offer a team the opportunity to add instant power to its lineup.

Murakami was drafted into Nippon Professional Baseball at 17 and spent the past eight seasons playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, setting records along the way. Murakami has been eyeing a move to Major League Baseball for a while but was waiting until now due to MLB's posting rules.

Here's a breakdown of Murakami's free agency process.

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Munetaka Murakami’s posting process

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Nov. 7 that the Tokyo Yakult Swallows will post infielder Munetaka Murakami, making him an MLB free agent. Since Murakami will be 26 years-old, and was in the NPB for the past eight seasons, he is no longer an ameteur free agent. Therefore, his free agency process will resemble that of Yoshinobu Yamamoto's in 2023, instead of Roki Sasaski's in 2024.

Murakami's free agency opens at 8:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 8 and will remain open through Dec. 22 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Over those 45 days, Murakami is free to speak with any team and sign a contract of any size. If he remains unsigned past the deadline, he will return to the Yakult Swallows for the 2026 season.

Additionally, the team that signs Murakami will also owe the Yakult Swallows a transfer fee. According to ESPN, that fee will equal 20 percent for Murakami's first $25 million, 17.5 percent of the next $25 million, and 15 percent on every dollar over $50 million.

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Munetaka Murakami’s agent

In 2024, Murakami signed with agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, who represents many of MLB's biggest players. Close's clients in 2025 included Clayton Kershaw, George Springer, Dansby Swanson, and Paul Goldschmidt.

Additionally, Close represents some of this year's top free agents, including Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, and Michael King.

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Potential landing spots for Munetaka Murakami

While Murakami makes sense for many teams in Major League Baseball, here are five specific teams to watch regarding the lefty infielder.

New York Mets

The New York Mets have been active in pursuing Japanese players in recent years, signing Kodai Senga in 2022 and going hard after Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Murakami makes sense for New York if longtime first baseman Pete Alonso signs elsewhere, allowing Murakami to slide right into first base.

San Diego Padres

Another team that has frequently added talent from Japan or South Korea, the San Diego Padres need some power in their lineup to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego has a first-base vacancy for 2026, since Luis Arraez is a free agent, and Murakami would balance a lineup headlined by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners were close to making the World Series in 2025 but now must rebuild their lineup with many open spots. Specifically, Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez are now free agents after serving as Seattle's starting first baseman and third baseman in the second half of the season, so Murakami could replace either for the Mariners.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Considering how successful the Dodgers have been in signing Japanese players recently, it's hard to count them out of the Murakami sweepstakes. Still, Los Angeles doesn't have much room for him at first base or third base, with Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy occupying those positions, making this match-up less likely.

New York Yankees

Another team frequently linked to Japanese player, the Yankees could offer Murakami the chance to play in a friendly Yankee Stadium. However, Ben Rice and Ryan McMahon are New York's first baseman and third baseman on the roster, and neither would be a great fit along with Murakami, so this is probably a longer shot than expected.

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Why Munetaka Murakami is called the "Japanese Babe Ruth"

Murakami earned the nickname "Japanese Babe Ruth" thanks to his raw power at such a young age. The lefty slugger had 246 career home runs in Nippon Professional Baseball, including 56 in 2022, which is an NPB record for a Japanese-born player.

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