YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 04: Munetaka Murakami #55 of Team Japan looks on before the game against Team Republic of Korea during the semifinals of men’s baseball on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 04, 2021 in Yokohama, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be looking for a major addition to their position player group this winter.
Despite a payroll that already includes stars like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Zack Wheeler, the Phillies have won just two playoff games in the last two seasons combined. As a result, they could be looking to bring in some marquee talent to fuel a deeper run next season.
The team is working to re-sign Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto, so it’s unclear just how much it can spend on a new face. But according to Japanese news outlet Nikkan Sports, the Phillies are bidding for star slugger Munetaka Murakami.
“Murakami, who officially submitted his posting application on (November 8), has already been approached by several teams,” according to a translated version of the Nikkon Sports report. “One team that is particularly keen on him is the Phillies, who have won the National League East division for two consecutive years and advanced to the postseason for four consecutive years.”
With several teams vying for Murakami’s services, his contract is expected to reach well into the nine-figure range, despite the fact that he’s only ever played in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden projected that he will receive a six-year, $160 million deal to join Major League Baseball.
Though he has been one of the best young sluggers in NPB, he had elbow surgery and suffered an oblique injury this year. And some scouts worry that he will struggle to make contact against big league pitchers.
But at just 25 years old, he could also be one of the best infield options on the free agent market this year despite those potential concerns.
And the Phillies could benefit from an offensive upgrade at third base who might be able to offer stars like Bryce Harper additional protection in the lineup. Alec Bohm saw a regression at the plate this past season and the team could be looking to part ways with him in order to clear room for an addition like Murakami.
Though the team doesn’t have a rich history of enticing Japanese stars to make their MLB debuts, it has been working to change that.
“The Phillies have beefed up their Asian operations since president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski joined the organization in 2020, better positioning themselves to strike,” Todd Zolecki reported for MLB.com. “Eventually, they believe it will pay dividends.”
With Murakami potentially choosing between contract offers from the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and other big-market clubs, the Phillies should be hoping that their progress on that front is ready to pay off this winter.