Munetaka Murakami was a big name out there in the MLB free agency frenzy this offseason. But the former Nippon Baseball League infielder decided to take his talents to the Chicago White Sox. It was reported on Sunday by multiple outlets that Murakami has agreed to a two-year, $34 million dollar deal to play for the White Sox.

Now, Los Angeles Dodgers fans know that the ballclub has a lot of money and prospects to potentially spend on a big deal.

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But did the Dodgers miss out not signing Murakami? I don’t think so.

Sure, the Dodgers need some help and a better bat in the lineup. Yet there are some things to consider when looking at Murakami’s body of work.

Murakami put himself on the baseball world’s map with a 56-homer, 134-RBI season back in 2022.M His 56 homers broke the record set by the great Sadaharu Oh for most home runs by a Japanese-born player in a single season.

He captured MLB MVP Awards in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022.

Last season, though, wasn’t one Murakami will want to talk about too much. He was plagued with an oblique injury and only played in 56 games. In those games, though, Murakami hit 22 home runs, a lightning-quick pace that would have put him possibly beyond that 56-homer mark in 2022.

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As for some negatives about Murakami, the NBL pitchers started to figure out how to pitch to him. Any MLB fan and follower knows that once pitchers figure this out, they can work their way around a power hitter like Murakami.

Even his on-base percentage has taken a hit since 2022. Put all these things together and a number of MLB clubs just passed on having him join their team.

Murakami is going to have to get used to hitting offspeed pitches. He’s also been late on fastballs that are too fast for him to reach at all.

Murakami also gained notoriety during the 2023 World Baseball Classic as he played a role in his native Japan winning the competition. His gold-medal performance in the championship game included a long home run off of Team USA pitcher Merrill Kelly.

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The White Sox are reportedly going to introduce Murakami at a press conference on Monday.

But the Dodgers really didn’t miss out on signing Murakami. He’s going to a franchise that has been awful for the past three seasons. Yet there is a youth movement taking place for the White Sox these days. Maybe his veteran presence will help them get better.

Los Angeles can save its money and prospects on a better deal. The Dodgers did fix their bullpen situation by signing Edwin Díaz. If they make any deals before Spring Training, I’d expect them to address their outfield situation.

Murakami will have the eyes of the baseball world on him. So, he better learn how to hit MLB pitching in a big way or the White Sox faithful might turn on him.