The challenge to MLB's strength is being questioned—could the "Murakami God" be forced to accept only a short-term contract?

NPB's "Murakami God," Munetaka Murakami, faces a deadlock in his attempt to join MLB (Major League Baseball). The bidding deadline is expected to be 6 AM Beijing time next Tuesday (23rd), but no final decision has been made yet. American media reveal that the main sticking point in contract negotiations is the duration—MLB teams generally prefer to offer short-term deals.

Murakami’s bidding negotiation window will officially close at 6 AM Beijing time on the 23rd. Currently, besides the Dodgers, it is rumored that six teams have shown interest in him. Ken Rosenthal, a reporter from the American online show "Foul Territory," disclosed that teams see Murakami as a power hitter and hope to develop him into a second Kyle Schwarber-type player. However, the key issue is that "teams tend to favor short-term contracts."

Although Murakami holds a triple crown title in NPB, with a total of 246 home runs and a single-season high of 56 homers, Rosenthal pointed out that because the contract total must include the posting fee paid to his Japanese team Yakult, signing a long-term deal would mean part of his salary goes toward compensation fees, increasing the team's payroll burden. Therefore, the contract might only be a two-year short-term deal, with an estimated total value of about $40 million.

Regarding the current deadlock, experts suggest that 25-year-old Murakami might follow the development path of Philadelphia’s slugger Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber was initially underrated due to a high strikeout rate and poor defensive ratings but proved himself in MLB through a one-year short contract, eventually securing a lucrative $150 million long-term deal. Reports analyze that if Murakami agrees to a 1-2 year short contract and demonstrates 40-home-run-level power in MLB, he could re-enter free agency at age 28 with his value potentially doubling.

However, the short-term contract strategy is practically complicated. Since Murakami is coming to the U.S. through the posting system, the total contract amount will significantly reduce the posting fee Yakult receives. Moreover, bidding teams must pay a multi-million-dollar salary plus additional posting costs and use a roster spot, which greatly raises the investment risk of a "short-term trial."

Rosenthal also mentioned that Murakami’s actual adaptation to MLB remains uncertain, and a short-term contract allows teams to keep observing him, making it a "compromise solution." In fact, Murakami’s contract was once mistakenly estimated at 8 years and $180 million, but as public scrutiny increased over his ability to handle pitches over 95 mph, his high strikeout rate, and defensive limitations confined to first base, teams have become more conservative with their offers.

Although scouts remain cautious about Japanese hitters’ transition success to MLB pitching, Rosenthal emphasized that Murakami’s power hitting is a "rare asset" in the market. Currently, Murakami faces a choice between a "low-priced long-term deal" and a "high-stakes short-term contract." If he can deliver power in MLB, teams currently hesitating may regret it later. Latest reports show that the Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Phillies, Mets, Blue Jays, and Pirates are all interested, and the likelihood of him accepting a short-term deal is increasing. The baseball world is closely watching the final outcome.