Munetaka Murakami 2026 Team Odds: Which MLB Team Lands Power-Hitting Infielder

By Steve Bittenbender

Oct 24th, 2025 11:58 AM EDT

Murakami has played eight seasons in Japan’s NPB, the country’s equivalent to MLB (USATODAY)

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Led by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now just four wins away from becoming the first MLB team in a generation to win back-to-back World Series titles, and once this year’s Fall Classic concludes, baseball’s focus will turn to the offseason to see what moves teams will make to challenge teams like the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

While most offseason moves involve players already in the Majors, there will be a few players from Japan whose teams have posted their availability. Once that’s done, all 30 teams will have 45 days to negotiate with that player.

Munetaka Murakami 2026 Team Odds

Among the players expected to be available this year is star infielder Munetaka Murakami. The 25-year-old has played eight seasons in Japan’s NPB, the country’s equivalent to MLB. In 892 games, the third baseman/first baseman has hit 246 home runs for the Yakult Swallows. Injuries limited him to roughly a third of this past season, yet he still homered 22 times with a slashline of .273/.379/.663.

You can expect several teams to bid on Murakami once he becomes available, but which one will end up with the slugger? Bookies.com has developed the following odds for where the former Japanese Triple Crown winner will play next season.

Team	Odds	Equivalent Probability
New York Yankees	+350	22.2%
New York Mets	+400	20%
Philadelphia Phillies	+500	16.7%
Seattle Mariners	+700	12.5%
Los Angeles Dodgers	+700	12.5%
San Francisco Giants	+1000	9.1%
Boston Red Sox	+1200	7.7%
The Field	+650	13.3%

This hypothetical MLB betting market is for entertainment purposes only and does not reflect any market that may be available on betting sites and betting apps.

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It’s been 16 seasons since the Bronx Bombers won their last World Series title. That’s the second-longest drought in franchise history, with the 1996 squad being the first Yankees team in 18 years to win. After losing to the Dodgers in last season’s Fall Classic and losing to the Blue Jays in this season’s ALDS, expect the Yankees to go hard after Murakami.

While the Yankees led the Majors this season with 274 homers, 30 more than the second-best Dodgers, the team could use upgrades at either corner infield position. Paul Goldschmidt, 37, hit .274 this season, but he only homered 10 times and drove in 45. Put Murakami behind Aaron Judge and you could have the core of the 21st century Murderer’s Row.

If Not The Yankees…

The other New York team has not been shy about spending money, and the Mets could also use another corner guy – especially if first baseman Pete Alonso leaves via free agency. Even if the Polar Bear stays, Murakami would be an upgrade from Brett Baty at third base. Would Murakami help the Mets avoid another late-season debacle to keep them out of the postseason, expect owner Steve Cohen to go all-in to find out.

The Philadelphia Phillies also could have a need for a corner infielder and may also need to find a replacement for Kyle Schwarber’s NL-best 56 homers. A player like Murakami would fit well in the lineup between batting champ Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, but the Phillies, who have made the postseason in each of the last four years, are one of the older teams in the majors. Their window of opportunity may be closing, which could be a dealbreaker for Murakami.

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Another franchise likely to be aggressive in pursuit of the Japanese star is the Seattle Mariners. Fresh off their stinging seven-game heartbreaking loss in the ALCS to the Blue Jays, the Mariners have a need for another hitter, especially if Josh Naylor or Eugenio Suarez move on this offseason. Seattle was the home of Ichiro Suzuki, the first Japanese player inducted into the Hall of Fame. Would that help the team land the next great player from the Far East?

And, of course, the Dodgers will likely be in the mix. Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman, their corners, are both in their mid-30s, and Muncy could be a free agent this offseason. With Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in Dodger Blue, could they persuade their countryman to join them stateside?

Also of interest: Kyle Tucker Next Team Odds.

Munetaka Murakami 2026 Team Odds: Which MLB Team Lands Power-Hitting Infielder

Munetaka Murakami 2026 Team Odds

If Not The Yankees…

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