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MLB Insider Identifies NPB Superstar as Free Agency Target for Red Sox

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Liguori | Last updated May 23, 2025 3:31 PM ET

After first baseman Triston Casas underwent season-ending surgery for a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee, the Boston Red Sox had minimal options at the position.

Boston's first base depth includes Romy Gonzalez, Abraham Toro, and potentially rookie Kristian Campbell. On Thursday, they also struck a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for Ryan Noda and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester.

Suppose the Red Sox are unsure of Casas' injury timeline and feel they need to upgrade at first base for the 2026 season significantly. In that case, The Athletic's Jim Bowden sees Nippon Professional Baseball star Munetaka Murakami as an option the club could pursue in free agency.

"Murakami profiles as a .240 to .260 type hitter in MLB with legitimate 30-home run power. Defensively, he’s below average at third base and adequate at first base," wrote Bowden.

"He’s also played some left field this season for the first time in his career. Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers (if they’re OK with him at third base), Mariners, Rangers, and Padres should be interested in Murakami if he becomes a free agent."

Murakami is a two-time Central League MVP with NPB's Tokyo Yakult Swallows and set a league record by hitting the most home runs in a season by a Japanese-born player in 2022, with 56. In December, the 25-year-old announced that 2025 would be his last season in Japan and that he planned to transition to Major League Baseball in 2026.

If Alex Bregman opts in to the second year of his three-year contract with the Red Sox, that leaves Murakami as a viable option for the Red Sox at first base, if the .939 career OPS hitter decides to take his talents to Boston.

If Bregman opts out, the Red Sox could move Rafael Devers back to third base while adding a power threat in the middle of the lineup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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