How Munetaka Murakami can help quickly solve the Miami Marlins first base problem

What if the Miami Marlins made the biggest splash they have made in years, and signed Munetaka Murakmi?

There's no question the soon to be posted latest Japanese superstar could have a transformative impact on the Marlins lineup, with more raw power than any of the corner infielders Miami utilized during the 2025 season. It would also bring a ton of international media attention. Murakami shone brightly for Japan in the last World Baseball Classic, and with that event returning to Miami in 2026, the move would pay some immediate marketing dividends for Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. There are better players available in free agency, but between all the media buzz and the mystery box nature of whether Murakami's power will play in MLB? One could argue there wouldn't be a bigger off the field splash that the Marlins could make.

Unfortunately, landing Murakami will probably end up costing about $100 million more than the 2026 Marlins will spend on their entire payroll, once you factor in posting fees. Between that and the fact there is really nothing Miami has to offer that would trump what a West Coast or Northeast team could to the Japanese import, a Murakami to Miami deal would be a long shot at best.

Fortunately, Murakami can still help solve Miami's corner infield woes without ever taking a single at bat in a Marlins uniform.

Why? Because all of the bigger money clubs, the ones that can afford kicking in an extra $15 to $20 million in posting fees on top of a big contract without breaking a sweat, are going to be in on Murakami. At least, they are all going to be once Pete Alonso signs. A few of those clubs will probably look to making Murakami their priority, looking to curry favor. Yet there's a clear top three for free agent corner infielders that will require big bucks- Alonso, Alex Bregman, and Murakami, with Josh Naylor a distant but still expensive fourth. All of which means that Murakami just ensured that the big spenders are going to be that much more distracted early on in MLB free agency.

Which makes this the perfect situation for President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix and the Miami Marlins to pounce.

While all those deep pocketed GMs are lining up to woo Alonso and company? Bendix can be the first person going after the best of the second tier- names like Rhys Hoskins, Paul Goldschmidt, or in a hilarious twist of irony, perhaps even old friend Luis Arraez if the market keeps undervaluing him. A case could even be made here for targeting Naylor. He's probably out of Miami's price range, but he's also certainly behind Alonso. There's a lot to be said for being made to feel wanted, and the Marlins would be in a position to that. Assuming, of course, Naylor remembers that there have been multiple GMs and an ownership change since he was unceremoniously dealt from the Marlins system in one of the dumber moves in franchise history.

At any rate, the Marlins can jump the market by offering someone that isn't at the top of the market a slightly above market deal right out of the gates once the curtain falls on the 2025 MLB postseason. This should already have been Miami's plan, but Murakami's forthcoming free agency boosts this because of the lack of clarity on where he will end up playing on the diamond. Third base, first base, and DH are all fits, and the MLB Trade Rumors report announcing his decision even mentioned that he played some left field last season. Throwing outfield aside though, Murakami deepens the pool at every hitting position the Marlins have a clear need at entering 2026.

The Marlins likely won't be able to an afford an elite option. Yet they could easily afford an upgrade over the production they got from their corner infielders in 2025.

Especially now that the teams that could easily outmuscle Miami financially will be that much more distracted fighting over the big names. Thanks, Munetaka.