The Boston Red Sox’s corner infield has already sparked plenty of discussion this offseason, and it doesn’t look like that will stop anytime soon.
Alex Bregman is expected to opt out of his contract with Boston, leaving third base unsettled. Meanwhile, first base has been a question mark for much of the past year. Trade rumors involving Triston Casas surfaced last offseason, but the Red Sox ultimately kept him—only for him to miss most of the 2025 season with an injury. Whether Casas returns at full strength or Boston looks to bring in another option, first base will be a key position to watch.
As the offseason gains momentum, Pete Alonso’s name has frequently come up in connection with the Red Sox. However, there may be an even better option available — Japanese power hitter Munetaka Murakami. According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Boston is among the top potential fits for the young slugger.
“Murakami is expected to be posted by his NPB team this offseason,” Bowden explained. “Although he underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery and dealt with an oblique injury this year, he still managed to hit .286/.392/.659 with 24 home runs in just 69 games. Despite these setbacks, he’s likely to draw strong interest in free agency, though his injury history might influence how teams assess his overall value.”
“He projects as a .240–.260 hitter in MLB with legitimate 30-homer potential. Defensively, he’s below average at third base but serviceable at first. Even after missing time this year, he’s still averaged over 30 home runs per season in Japan and holds a career .394 on-base percentage. At just 25 years old, he’s entering his prime years. Best fits: Padres, Mets, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Guardians, and Red Sox.”
Projecting how a player will adjust to a new league on the other side of the world is never easy, but Murakami’s youth and left-handed power make him an intriguing potential fit for Fenway Park. Despite injuries limiting him to 69 games this season with the Yakult Swallows, he still hit 24 home runs. From 2021 to 2024, he posted totals of 39, 56, 31, and 33 homers, each season playing 140 or more games — and he was on pace for similar production in 2025 before getting hurt.
Given Boston’s uncertainty at first base, Murakami should be a serious target. The Red Sox ranked 15th in MLB with 186 home runs in 2025, and late-season injuries to Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu caused the team’s power numbers to dip, putting added pressure on the pitching staff. The losses of Rafael Devers via trade and Triston Casas to injury only amplified that issue. Murakami offers the type of true power bat the Red Sox currently lack.
While he’s capable of playing both corner infield spots, Bowden notes that he’s stronger defensively at first base. If — and when — he’s made available, Murakami might be an ideal fit for Boston because of his age and upside. If he fulfills his potential as a 30-plus home run slugger, envisioning a lineup featuring Murakami alongside Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, Alex Bregman, Trevor Story, Ceddanne Rafaela, Abreu, and Jarren Duran would be a daunting sight for opposing pitchers for years to come.
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