Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan third baseman Munetaka Murakami (55) looks on after hitting a home run during the second inning against USA at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Could Mets swipe Munetaka Murakami from Yankees, Dodgers next year?

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Grant Young | Last updated Mar 6, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Ever since signing elite starting pitcher Kodai Senga in December 2022, the New York Mets have struck out in attracting baseball's best Japanese players to their franchise.

Then again, so have 28 other MLB teams, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed the three biggest names (Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Mamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani) to come from Japan in recent years (although they signed Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels, of course.)

However, there's a Japanese power hitter named Munetaka Murakami that's expected to come to the MLB for the 2026 season that the Mets might have a solid shot at signing.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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