"All indications are Anthony Rendon will never play again. Third base is wide open. Their best (only) lefty power threat is Nolan Schanuel, who has 26 home runs in more than 1,300 big league plate appearances. The Angels have experience helping Japanese players make the move to MLB and acclimate to a new culture. After trading Taylor Ward, their projected 2026 payroll is about $50 million south of their 2025 figure. The Angels want to contend and, bless their heart, think they can next year. It all lines up nicely, doesn't it? They need a power-hitting left-handed third baseman and are well-versed in the Japanese market. I can't say I'm convinced it'll happen, but Murakami strikes me as a wonderful fit for the Angels, and vice versa."
Obviously just rumors and we've heard this a million times before, but it's interesting nonetheless. I still think Okamoto is the better fit, and it's still very possible we can get him with all the rumors coming out of Taylor Blake Ward and Angelswin.com
6 comments
Mentions that Murakami has strikeout issues and says he wont stay at third long (due to fielding), then says we are the best fit. Make it make sense. This team had a K% of 27% (highest in the league) and why sign a thrid baseman who cant play third for a team that has been in desperate need for a thrid baseman for 10+ years.
Edit: we have had a positional bWAR at 3B of 5.4 over 10 years (2016-2025). Four seasons above 1.0 (1.4 (19), 1.3 (24), 1.3 (16), and 2.3 (Rendon 2020), while also having 5 at or less than 0. (0 (25), -.2 (23), -.4 (22), -.2 (21), -.7 (18 Cozart).
I’m not high on Murakami because of the strikeout rate. Plus a lot of Japanese players tend to see their stats slightly worsen when they first come over to the MLB, so I could see his strikeout rate increasing.
However, he’s a young infielder who can bat lefty and bring power to the plate. There is value in that. But I’d much rather roll the dice on Okamoto.
Realistically they’re going to sign Urshela, Moncada, or IKF tier players
I read it as US like U.S.
No thanks. Hoping for Okamoto, but if that doesn’t work, then I’d like Ramon Urias.
Cheap, 99 OPS+ over the last 3 years, plus defender at both 2nd and 3rd, and won’t hurt you on the basepaths. Not flashy but he checks all the right boxes.
Bless our hearts