Where do Blue Jays fit in pursuit Japan's Munetaka Murakami?

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Power-hitting third baseman expected to be a hot item in MLB free agency.

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Published Nov 07, 2025 • Last updated 18 hours ago • 3 minute read

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Munetaka Murakami (centre) of Team Japan celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run double to defeat Team Mexico at the World Baseball Classic in 2023. Getty ImagesArticle content

Could the Blue Jays be gearing up for their latest pursuit of a high-profile Japanese star and are the team’s fans ready for another wild ride that such a chase could bring?

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With news on Friday that power-hitting sensation Munetaka Murakami has declared himself for MLB’s posting system and is thus a free agent, based on previous off-seasons we can expect the Jays to be in hot pursuit.

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While the 25-year-old, who is a four-time Nippon Professional Baseball all-star, will be heavily linked with the big-money New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, the Jays likely are to be in the mix as well.

The team has scouted Murakami heavily in recent years and has an increased visibility and scouting initiative in the Pacific Rim.

As Jays fans are well aware, they’ve also been involved in high-profile pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and, most recently, Roki Sasaki, both of whom signed with the Dodgers.

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Play VideoWhat’s the deal on Murakami?

A power-hitting corner infielder, the Yakult Swallows star is just the latest Japanese superstar coveted by MLB teams. He has declared himself ready to make the transition to North America and, under terms of the arrangement with MLB and Japan’s NPB league, is eligible to be signed as a free agent up until Dec. 22.

In the NPB’s Central League, Murakami had a .270 batting average over 892 game with the Swallows, hitting 246 homers with 647 RBI. In 2022, he became the youngest Japanese-born player to earn his country’s Triple Crown.

He has long been coveted by teams around MLB and, given the success of his compatriots — most notably Ohtani — that desire is only going to increase.

His 45-day negotiating opportunity with North American teams slides open on Saturday.

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Do the Blue Jays have a shot?

Never say never, but the big-money teams — especially the Dodgers — always seem to be the frontrunners for the Japanese superstars.

That said, the Dodgers may not have a need for Murakami at that position and already are the MLB payroll leader.

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But a couple of things are at play here regarding the Jays: First, the team is actively involved in scouting in Japan and other Pacific Rim countries, and many in the industry believe it’s just a matter of time before they land one of the bigger free agents coming out of baseball-mad Japan.

Secondly, the Jays’ spirited run to the World Series certainly increased the global exposure to the team in Japan, where record numbers of viewers watched the seven-game showdown with the Dodgers.

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“Hard to say,” GM Ross Atkins said on Thursday when asked specifically if the exposure the World Series brought the team to Asian audiences would help recruiting going forward. “I think (Toronto) is an attractive destination for the (Pacific Rim).

“It just happens to be six hours further and maybe not as heavily populated as the West Coast of the United States. But I don’t think it’s going to hurt.”

In a broader sense, Atkins is hopeful that free agents around baseball — whether in the U.S. or in Japan — took notice of what was happening with the Jays.

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“That cohesiveness and the collective effort for players to play for one another is unique and I feel something that our team saw the power of being here,” Atkins said. “Hopefully others appreciated (what they saw).”

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Where would he fit?

Obviously the bat is the big attraction for any of Murakami’s suitors, but defensively he has played third base for much of his career in Japan.

Is he good enough defensively to mind the hot corner here and would the Jays see enough upside in him over the duo of Addison Barger and Ernie Clement?

Atkins and Shapiro said on Thursday that the team is finalizing its offseason plan of attack and identifying prime areas of need.

That said, it would be a surprise if the team didn’t seriously investigate the opportunities with the latest would-be Japanese star ready to burst upon the MLB scene.

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Where do Blue Jays fit in pursuit Japan’s Munetaka Murakami?

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