The San Diego Padres have been one of the more intriguing teams to watch this offseason-not because of what they've done, but because of what they might do. While the front office hasn’t pulled the trigger on any blockbuster moves just yet, the rumor mill has been working overtime.
Names like Mason Miller, Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, Ramon Laureano, Jake Cronenworth, and Nick Pivetta have all surfaced in trade discussions. That’s a pretty clear signal: the Padres are looking to trim payroll and reshape the roster.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Despite the cost-cutting narrative, the Padres are reportedly in the mix for one of the most intriguing international bats available this winter-Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, San Diego has emerged as a potential landing spot for the 25-year-old power hitter, who could be looking to sign a short-term deal before re-entering free agency while still in his prime.
Now, this isn’t your typical free-agent pursuit. Murakami’s market has been eerily quiet.
No major teams have been publicly linked to him, and there’s been little in the way of concrete buzz. But that kind of silence can create opportunity-especially for a team like the Padres, who have a knack for making unexpected moves under GM A.J.
Preller.
Let’s talk fit. The Padres currently have Jake Cronenworth penciled in at first base, but his name has been floating around in trade rumors for weeks.
If he’s dealt, that opens the door for a new bat in the lineup-one like Murakami, who brings serious pop and a proven track record in Japan’s NPB. He’s not just a slugger; he’s a disciplined hitter with a career .945 OPS.
That’s elite production, even if there’s always some uncertainty when it comes to translating NPB success to the Major Leagues.
Still, a short-term, lower-cost deal for Murakami could be a savvy move for San Diego. It gives the team a high-upside bat without a long-term commitment, and it gives Murakami a chance to prove himself on the MLB stage before cashing in down the line. It’s a classic “prove-it” scenario that could benefit both sides.
And while the Padres had the third-lowest strikeout rate in the majors in 2025-a stat that speaks to their overall plate discipline-they could still use more thump in the middle of the order. Murakami brings that in spades.
He once hit 56 home runs in a single NPB season. That kind of power doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s exactly the kind of swing that could change the trajectory of a game-or a season.
So, while the Padres may be shedding salary in some areas, don’t mistake that for waving the white flag. If anything, they’re retooling with intent. And if Murakami does land in San Diego, it could be one of the more fascinating moves of the offseason-a low-risk, high-reward gamble that fits the Padres’ current blueprint: stay flexible, stay competitive, and stay ready to strike when the market gives you an opening.