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Munetaka Murakimi is likely going to be one of the biggest headliners in free agency just like Shohei Ohtani was several years ago.
With that in mind, it’s not too soon to look at possible landing spots for him. MLB insider Jon Heyman lists the Los Angeles Dodgers as a strong possibility.
“No. 2 team I’ve got is the Dodgers,” Heyman said on BR Walkoff. “They’re a $400 million payroll team. They’re willing to do anything, right? I think Muncy’s still got some play left in him, but, you know, they’re willing to move things around. They do great with Japanese players. Obviously, they’ve got superstars already. … Dodgers, a potential fit, although Muncy’s still got a year to go. but they’re not going to worry about that $10 or $14 million, whatever he’s making, if they can get Murakami.”
Murakimi would make sense for the Dodgers with Muncy aging, and the Dodgers aren’t going to worry about the money.
Los Angeles does have an advantage over the other teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and New York Mets with having Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Having a strong Japanese presence would help Murakimi feel more at home right away with the Dodgers.
Entering Wednesday, Murakimi held a slash line of .311/.391/.611 with the Yakult Swallows this season. Primarily a third baseman, he would provide another a strong bat in the Dodgers’ lineup along with Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Other teams will have chance to sign him, but don’t be surprised if Murakimi signs with the Dodgers.
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