The Seattle Mariners entered the offseason intent on continuity, re-signing Josh Naylor as part of a “run it back” approach. That plan, however, has quickly shifted into something closer to urgency. With Jorge Polanco now in New York as a Met, Seattle must once again search for the middle-of-the-order bat it needs.
Trade discussions involving players such as Ketel Marte and Brendan Donovan remain active, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Still, the Mariners are not limited to the trade market alone. Free agency offers alternatives, and interest in Munetaka Murakami continues to resurface.
Since Murakami was posted in November, the idea of him landing in Seattle has been a persistent topic of speculation. Weeks later, that conversation hasn’t faded. Jim Bowden of The Athletic and ESPN’s David Schoenfield have both continued to highlight Seattle as a logical fit.
Mariners’ persistent link to Munetaka Murakami is gaining clarity
Skepticism around Murakami remains warranted. The concerns are well known: swing-and-miss tendencies and an athletic profile that may ultimately limit him to designated hitter duties. Those risks make it difficult to justify what would likely be only the second nine-figure free-agent contract of Jerry Dipoto’s tenure.
Still, the tone around Murakami’s market has noticeably shifted. His 45-day posting window expires on December 22, yet there has been surprisingly little public momentum regarding preferred destinations or serious bidders.
That silence could reflect unusually discreet negotiations. Alternatively, it may suggest that clubs share similar concerns and are content to let the clock wind down. Murakami must either sign before the deadline or return to Japan, though Rosenthal has indicated that a return to NPB is unlikely.
While MLB Trade Rumors once projected an eight-year, $180 million deal, that figure now appears unrealistic. ESPN’s estimate of five years and $80 million increasingly looks like a more accurate reflection of the market.
At that price point, Murakami becomes far more attainable for Seattle. The Mariners are projected to open 2026 with a payroll not far removed from where they finished 2025, and a $16 million annual commitment would fit comfortably within that range.
The risks remain, but so does the upside. Murakami’s power is undeniable—246 home runs across eight NPB seasons, including 56 in 2022. He could realistically exceed the 26 homers Polanco provided last year, and he would do so at a lower annual cost than Polanco’s $20 million salary with the Mets.
This isn’t a definitive case for Seattle to sign Murakami. However, if trade negotiations with the Diamondbacks or Cardinals become overly demanding for Marte or Donovan, a late pivot toward Murakami would be a logical and defensible alternative.
