The Boston Red Sox made the postseason despite trading Rafael Devers early in the year. The Red Sox’s young core showed promise, but the team could use some more power.
Boston ranked 15th in home runs this season. Adding power may be a priority for Craig Breslow this winter, and there are plenty of options available. Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso may be the biggest names, but they are not the only sluggers available. Nippon Professional Baseball star Munetaka Murakami is also available.
Murakami made his NPB debut for the Yakult Swallows in 2018 at just 18 years old. He is now 25 and has 246 home runs in his NPB career, and has a .270/.394/.550 slash line in eight seasons. SNY’s Anthony McCarron recently predicted the Red Sox will sign him.
“The 25-year-old Japanese slugger figures to be a big name this winter as he’s supposed to be posted and come to MLB,” McCarron wrote this week. “The (Los Angeles) Dodgers have been a comfy and successful landing spot for NPB stars recently – Hello? Did you watch the postseason? — but the Red Sox win out here, pitching their on-the-upswing roster.”
Murakami is one of the best sluggers in Japan, and he is still a young talent. The Dodgers are a prime example of a team that has leaned in on international free agency and reaped the benefits. The Red Sox could take a huge swing this winter and land the next potential Japanese star in Major League Baseball.
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If Alex Bregman leaves, Murakami could easily slot in at third base, where he has played 696 games. If the Red Sox find a way to retain Bregman following his opt-out, Murakami could be the team’s new first baseman.
If Murakami ends up playing first, the Red Sox may be inclined to move on from Triston Casas. He failed to meet expectations last year, even before his season-ending injury.
Featured image via Sam Navarro/Imagn Images
