Perhaps the most intriguing free-agent case of the off-season came to a close early Sunday morning.

Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami surprised many by signing a two-year, $34 million deal with the 60-102 Chicago White Sox.

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Upon being posted, it seemed that Murakami would have a more robust market after hitting 246 home runs across eight seasons in NPB, and it wasn’t hard to find a potential fit between him and the Texas Rangers.

Last season, the Rangers ranked 12th in the American League with 175 home runs and 13th with a .381 slugging percentage.

Murakami’s two positions, first and third base, were two of the Rangers offensive weak spots last season.

So why didn’t Texas pursue Murakami harder?

Without a doubt, finances were certainly a major factor. Amidst a winter in which the Rangers are certainly being cautious in what they spend, making Murakami the 5th highest paid player on your team was never something Texas wanted to have to justify.

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However, it goes deeper than just the financial side.

Murakami has seen his strikeout rate increase significantly over the last few seasons, while his on-base percentage and walk rates have declined.

Even more alarmingly, Murakami’s 72.6% in zone contact rate would have been the second-worst in all of baseball.

Contrast that to what the Rangers are looking to do to bounce back offensively in 2026, and you start to see a difference.

Following a sudden drop in slug at Globe Life Field and an immense offensive struggle last season, Rangers hitting coach Justin Viele knows that big power guys like Murakami aren’t always the answer.

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“I think there’s a little bit more of a need to manufacture runs and have more at-bat quality and grind pitchers down a little bit more when the ball is not flying, and you can’t rely on slug,” Viele said earlier in the off-season.

Ultimately, whether it be for the money, the on-field production, or a little bit of both, the shoe didn’t fit for the Rangers and Murakami like many thought it might.

With less than 100 days until Opening Day, it remains to be seen whether or not more offensive repercussions will be coming for the Rangers or if they believe they have what it takes in-house to produce a return to offensive glory.