The Chicago Cubs are back in the hunt for Alex Bregman, and this time, it feels serious. After coming up short last offseason, Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins appear to be doubling down on their pursuit of the three-time All-Star, making him a clear priority as the free agent market unfolds.
Bregman, a two-time World Series champion and proven October performer, fits the mold of what the Cubs are looking for - a veteran presence with a strong bat, postseason pedigree, and leadership qualities. While there are other names out there, the buzz around Bregman has been consistent and focused. The Cubs' front office seems determined to land their guy, and they’re not alone in recognizing his value.
But while the Cubs are zoning in on Bregman, there’s another name looming over the hot corner market: Munetaka Murakami. The 25-year-old Japanese slugger has just over a week left to sign with an MLB team, but the Cubs haven’t been prominently linked to him as the clock ticks down.
That’s a bit of a shift from earlier in the offseason, when Murakami was floated as a possible fit for Chicago. But concerns about how his bat might translate to the big leagues - particularly against high-velocity fastballs - have cooled some of that early enthusiasm.
A viral post on social media claimed Murakami hit just .095 last year in NPB against pitches clocked at 93 MPH or higher. Considering the average fastball in MLB hovers around 94 MPH, that stat raised some eyebrows.
Of course, depending on which slice of his NPB data you look at, the picture isn’t so black and white. But the perception has clearly shifted.
As of now, the Cubs are no longer listed among the teams actively pursuing Murakami. According to reports, clubs still showing interest include the Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Phillies, Mets, Blue Jays, and Pirates. Boston, for instance, had been linked to Pete Alonso before he landed with the Orioles, and Philadelphia made a big move by bringing back Kyle Schwarber - a player Pittsburgh had also been eyeing.
Murakami isn’t just a flash in the pan. He’s the same lefty slugger who crushed 56 home runs in 2022 as a 22-year-old with the Yakult Swallows.
Last season, he posted a .286/.392/.659 slash line over 263 plate appearances - numbers that still jump off the page. Sure, there’s swing-and-miss in his game, but his raw power and upside are real, and teams are taking notice.
For the Cubs, the Bregman-Murakami dynamic is more than just a tale of two third basemen. The markets for both players are closely tied, and what happens with Murakami over the next eight days could ripple into how Chicago approaches Bregman. If a team swoops in and signs Murakami, it could create urgency for the Cubs to lock down Bregman before other suitors ramp up their interest.
The bottom line? The Cubs are clearly putting their chips on Bregman. But with Murakami still in play - and time running out - the next week could be pivotal in shaping how Chicago’s infield, and their offseason, ultimately takes shape.