Could Munetaka Murakami Be the Cubs’ Long-Term Answer at Third Base?
With the posting window ticking toward its Dec. 22 deadline, Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is officially on the radar for MLB teams - and there’s reason to believe the Cubs could be one of them.
Let’s start with the basics: Murakami is a left-handed-hitting third baseman who brings serious thump to the lineup. At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, he’s got the kind of physical presence that jumps off the scouting report.
For context, that’s a good bit bigger than Seiya Suzuki, who stands at 6-foot and 182 pounds. Murakami’s size and power profile translate well to the big leagues, especially at a position where offensive production is at a premium.
Though injuries limited him to just 56 games in 2025, Murakami still managed to leave a mark. He posted a .273/.379/.663 slash line with 22 home runs in only 187 at-bats - a reminder that his power hasn’t gone anywhere.
That kind of production, even in a shortened season, demands attention. And when you zoom out to his career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the numbers are even louder: a .270/.394/.557 line with 246 home runs across 892 games.
His 2022 season was the peak - 56 home runs in 141 games - and it’s still the benchmark for what he’s capable of when healthy and locked in.
He just turned 25 and will be 26 in February, which makes him one of the younger international free agents to hit the market in recent years. That opens the door to a long-term commitment - potentially a cornerstone-type deal that could anchor a lineup for the better part of a decade.
Of course, no player is without risk, and Murakami’s comes in the form of strikeouts. Since that record-setting 2022 campaign, his K rate has been climbing.
Even as his power numbers rebounded in 2025, the swing-and-miss tendencies didn’t go away. That’s the red flag for MLB front offices - high strikeout rates in NPB often translate to even higher ones in the majors, where velocity and breaking stuff are on another level.
Still, if you’re willing to live with the strikeouts, there’s a lot to like. Think of a player like Eugenio Suárez - big power, solid glove at third, and yes, plenty of strikeouts.
Murakami could follow a similar trajectory, but with the benefit of youth on his side. Suárez is eight years older, and Murakami’s best years are likely still ahead of him.
Financially, the reported price tag isn’t outrageous. MLB Trade Rumors projects an eight-year, $180 million deal - that’s a $22.5 million average annual value, well within reach for the Cubs if they want to stay under the first luxury tax threshold. And with the posting window closing soon, the clock is ticking for teams to make a decision.
For the Cubs, this is an intriguing opportunity. Third base has been a revolving door in recent seasons, and while there are other options on the free agent market - including Alex Bregman - Murakami offers a different kind of upside. He’s younger, potentially cheaper, and comes with the kind of raw power that could change the shape of a lineup.
Yes, the strikeouts are a concern. But if you believe in the bat - and in the possibility that he can adjust to MLB pitching over time - you might be looking at a long-term solution at a premium position.
The countdown is on. If the Cubs are serious about adding impact talent and building a sustainable contender, Murakami deserves a long look.