Munetaka Murakami is the next Japanese phenom who will be making his way stateside to play in the MLB. The 25-year-old slugger hit 265 career home runs in his eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, and broke the single-season home run record back in 2022, smashing 56 in 141 games.
Murakami has been on MLB teams' radar for a few seasons, but American fans got a good look at him during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The lefty is projected to get a mega-contract this offseason that may see many teams in the mix for his services.
The position he will play once he makes the jump from the NPB to the MLB will drastically affect his market. While Murakami has played third base for most of his professional career, experts aren't sure that he will stick there in the majors. While it will depend on the team that signs him, some think he will switch to first base, and others think he may be a full-time DH.
The Red Sox have been linked to interest in the young slugger, but original reports suggested that he would be a replacement for Alex Bregman at third base. With reports from MLB execs suggesting he won't be playing the hot corner in the United States, if the Sox do still want to sign him, he would likely be a first baseman. That could potentially create a dilemma for the Red Sox front office.
Bregman is opting out. On that subject, I asked around about Murakami potentially playing third base. Talked to some (non-Red Sox) execs who know about such things and said it's a hard no on him playing third base. Projects as a first baseman.
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) November 3, 2025
Red Sox fans can say goodbye to Triston Casas if Munetaka Murakami comes to Boston
While they have made it clear that Triston Casas is not promised the Opening Day spot at first base, the Red Sox organization still thinks highly of him. The addition of Murakami would completely block Casas from any real playing time in the majors. If Murakami is limited to first base and DH, in Boston, the only spot for him would be at first — DH is currently filled by his countryman and 2023 WBC teammate, Masataka Yoshida.
Signing Murakami would almost certainly signify the end of Casas' time in Boston. The Sox would have to try and trade him, even with his value the lowest it's ever been, because there is no opportunity to platoon them as they are both lefties. It would be an unceremonious end to the former top prospect's time in Boston.
While it seems less likely now that Murakami will end up in Boston, there's still a chance. He would be another exciting lefty in the Red Sox lineup and would be manning first for years to come. But it could also mean goodbye to Casas.