Only 48 hours remain in the bidding negotiation window, and Munetaka Murakami’s future is still uncertain.

Munetaka Murakami, the Yakult Swallows slugger and record-holder for most home runs in a single NPB season by a domestic player, is attempting to join MLB via the posting system this year, but with under 48 hours remaining before the negotiation deadline, his plans remain unknown.

Murakami’s posting negotiation period will end at 6 AM Beijing time on December 23. If he fails to sign by that time, he will be barred from playing in MLB next year. Yet, so far, even prominent reporters who frequently cover trade news like Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal have shared few updates. In an article two days ago, Passan only mentioned that Murakami might opt for a shorter-term but higher-paying contract, aiming to re-enter free agency before turning 30 to pursue a longer deal later.

Previously, MLB Trade Rumors ranked Murakami fourth in this year’s free agent market, predicting he could secure an eight-year, $180 million contract (approximately 5.67 billion RMB). Meanwhile, Ben Clemens from FanGraphs placed him 12th, forecasting a seven-year, $154 million deal.

As the negotiation deadline approaches, some media outlets speculate Murakami might lower his asking price, potentially attracting unexpected competing teams. More than one columnist has suggested that the Chicago White Sox could also emerge as a possible destination for him.

Murakami’s raw power and explosiveness are undeniable, but concerns about his high swing-and-miss rate raise doubts about his ability to adapt to MLB pitching. According to data from Deltagraphs, his contact rate on pitches inside the strike zone this year was only 73%, well below the MLB average of 83%; his overall swing-and-miss rate reached 37%, significantly higher than the league average of 25%; and his swing-and-miss rate against breaking balls was as high as 49%, compared to the MLB average of 33%.