Mariners Expected to Sign Japanese Star Munetaka Murakami to $225M Deal
Could the Mariners add more firepower after their playoff run?
There’s little doubt that the Seattle Mariners are trending upward. With a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays, they’re just two wins away from making their first-ever World Series appearance. Looking at their current roster and farm system, it’s clear that this team has the potential to be a dominant force in the American League for years to come.
However, heading into the offseason, the corner infield spots are uncertain (though the Mariners are focused on their postseason goals for now). They might bring back Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, but one baseball insider has an exciting, high-cost alternative in mind.
Mariners Predicted to Sign Munetaka Murakami
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley predicted that the Mariners would land Yakult Swallows third baseman Munetaka Murakami, who is expected to be one of the top international free agents this offseason after his anticipated posting. Buckley speculated the Mariners would offer him a 10-year, $225 million contract.
“Murakami has created a lot of buzz with his bat, hitting 246 home runs in 892 career games, including 56 homers in 2022,” Buckley wrote. “Primarily a third baseman, he also has experience at first base.”
At just 25 years old, Murakami has the potential to be a highly sought-after free agent across MLB. While Buckley believes the Mariners will ultimately sign him, it’s possible they could lose both Naylor and Suárez to free agency, making Murakami a natural fit for Seattle.
Murakami’s best season came in 2022, but his performance dipped in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, he showed signs of returning to form, though injuries limited him to just 69 games after six straight seasons of playing 120 or more.
There’s always risk in signing any player to a contract worth over $200 million, especially before they’ve faced Major League pitching. The risk is even higher with position players, given the challenges of adapting to MLB pitching.
Nevertheless, Murakami’s potential seems to exceed that of both Naylor and Suárez, and at 25, he fits the Mariners’ long-term vision. If Seattle decides to take the plunge, it would be hard to fault them for making this high-stakes move.
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