The competition for Munetaka Murakami is expected to accelerate following Kyle Schwarber's signing, as the power hitter market has stalled.

According to ESPN, Munetaka Murakami, the powerful infielder from Tokyo Yakult who hopes to join MLB through the posting system, will likely have his destination clarified after the winter meetings. The deadline for his posting negotiations is set for 5 PM Eastern Time on December 22 (early morning December 23 Beijing time).

This year's MLB winter meetings are scheduled to take place from December 8 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber, the slugger who led the National League with 56 home runs last season and is currently a free agent from the Philadelphia Phillies, is expected to finalize his new contract during the meetings. Analysts note: “Once Schwarber’s signing is settled, the current ‘logjam’ in the power hitter market will clear, allowing negotiations for other players to progress rapidly.”

In the 2022 season, Munetaka Murakami set a new Japanese player record with 56 home runs in a single season, showcasing elite power-hitting ability. However, the report also mentions that some MLB executives have concerns about his relatively high strikeout rate and defensive position. Nevertheless, he remains a target for multiple teams, and if one truly values him, a decisive offer could be made.

So far, there has been considerable activity among starting pitchers in the free agent market, but the power hitter segment remains relatively quiet. If teams aiming to boost their offense fail to acquire Schwarber, Munetaka Murakami is likely to become their next primary target to pursue aggressively.