The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again at the center of the international baseball market, opening as the clear favorites to land Japanese superstar slugger Munetaka Murakami while remaining firmly in contention for fellow NPB standout Kazuma Okamoto, according to odds posted by BetOnline.ag.
A trio of Japanese stars — Murakami, Okamoto and pitcher Tatsuya Imai — are expected to make the jump to Major League Baseball for the 2026 season, creating one of the most anticipated international free-agent classes in recent years. All three bring extensive professional experience, middle-of-the-order potential and immediate impact upside, drawing interest across the league.
Murakami, 26, is the headline prize. The two-time Central League MVP and single-season home run record holder in Japan is considered a franchise-altering bat, and oddsmakers have installed the Dodgers as the overwhelming favorites at 1/1 to sign him. Los Angeles has long been aggressive in the Asian market and is expected to pursue another major offensive piece to pair with Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. The Seattle Mariners (4/1), New York Yankees (6/1) and New York Mets (8/1) are also listed as contenders, but the Dodgers stand alone atop the board.
Okamoto, a perennial 30-home-run threat for the Yomiuri Giants and captain of Japan’s World Baseball Classic championship team, is drawing a wider range of suitors. The Yankees lead the field at 5/2, followed by the Phillies (3/1) and Cubs (7/2), but the Dodgers sit not far behind at 4/1, reflecting the club’s clear willingness to add another elite right-handed bat. Boston (6/1) and Pittsburgh (9/1) round out the upper tier of potential landing spots.
While Los Angeles is favored for Murakami and a strong contender for Okamoto, the club appears less likely to secure Imai, one of Japan’s top starting pitchers. The Mets (3/1), Red Sox (7/2) and Yankees (4/1) hold the leading odds for the right-hander, while the Dodgers sit at 25/1, suggesting their focus this offseason may once again skew toward offense after their recent run of high-profile pitching acquisitions.
With Ohtani already in place and another championship push underway, the Dodgers are positioned to be the most aggressive players in the international market. Whether they land Murakami, Okamoto or both, Los Angeles looks poised to continue redefining its roster with elite global talent — and the betting markets reflect that momentum.