*This is a prediction*
It has reached the MLB Winter Meetings portion of the offseason, and that typically means free agent signings happen more frequently as well. For the Japanese players that have been posted, this is also typically the time in which they sign as well.
For Munetaka Murakami, he is one of the key players that teams will be looking to sign. With Murakami’s skill set, he will be able to provide an impact immediately, and the team that needs to sign him is the San Diego Padres.
More MLB Content From TWSN:
New York Mets Sign Kyle Schwarber
San Diego Padres Trade Fernando Tatis Jr to the New York Yankees
Tarik Skubal Will Be Traded to the Houston Astros
Munetaka Murakami Signs With the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have a major question mark at their first base spot ahead of the 2026 MLB season as both Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn are free agents and might not re-sign back with the team. For the Padres to truly contend with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West Division, they must figure out their first base spot, as well as figure out how to add more power to their offense.
Signing Munetaka Murakami would solve both issues for the Padres. Murakami would actually provide San Diego with immense versatility as he can play first base, and third base. His ability to play multiple defensive spots would allow San Diego to change their lineup a bit in a pinch if needed depending on the matchup.
Munetaka Murakami’s overall defensive play is still something that can be developed more, but where he truly can make an immediate impact is with his offensive presence. Murakami finished the 2025 season with a .286/.392/.659 slash line with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs. Over his entire career, his power and ability to get on base have been a true force as shown in his career slash line of .273/.394/.550 while adding on 265 home runs and 722 RBIs.
While Munetaka Murakami will need to learn to cut his strikeout rate down, he still makes contact at a high rate, and does so with power too. Having that kind of batting power in the lineup would pay off immensely for the Padres, and having a player that is just 26 years old with the upside that Murakami has would go a long way for San Diego to get back to being true contenders going forward.