The Seattle Mariners wasted no time addressing one of their biggest offseason concerns, quickly securing an important piece of their lineup by re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor. Bringing Naylor back was a major step toward maintaining continuity in the heart of their batting order, but his return is only part of the broader picture the Mariners must consider as they shape their 2026 roster.
Even with Naylor locked in, the front office still faces several decisions involving their own group of free agents before turning its attention to the larger MLB market. Two notable players—Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco—also reached the end of their contracts, leaving Seattle with significant choices about the future of their infield. Both have played meaningful roles, but the early buzz around the league makes it seem more likely that Polanco could return, whereas Suárez appears increasingly likely to move on.
If Suárez does indeed depart, his exit would leave a sizable vacancy at third base. Seattle has leaned heavily on him for power production and durability over the past few seasons, and filling that hole is not something the organization can take lightly. Fortunately for the Mariners, an especially intriguing option exists overseas—one who has already generated substantial attention within MLB front offices.
MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand is among those who believe that the Mariners should view Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami as a top target. While Feinsand is not the first observer to connect Seattle to Murakami, he reinforces the logic behind the pairing.
Murakami, one of the most electrifying hitters in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has already built a résumé that rivals some of Japan’s best sluggers from previous generations. His combination of youth, strength, and plate discipline has made him an international sensation well before his formal arrival to MLB.
Murakami’s most staggering accomplishment—and one that frequently gets cited when discussing his MLB potential—is his record-setting 2022 season, during which he blasted 56 home runs. That total stands as the highest single-season home-run mark ever recorded by a third baseman in NPB history.
His breakout year not only showcased his raw talent but also placed him in the same conversation as legendary Japanese hitters who have made successful transitions to Major League Baseball.
Feinsand notes that the Mariners have a long and mostly positive history with players coming from Japan. Over the past quarter century, the franchise has welcomed an impressive list of Japanese talent, most famously the iconic Ichiro Suzuki.
While many of their Japanese signings have been pitchers—including stars such as Hisashi Iwakuma and, more recently, Yusei Kikuchi—the idea of adding an impact position player from Japan is hardly new territory for Seattle. If anything, the club’s longstanding connection to Japanese players and the Pacific Rim scouting market only strengthens the potential fit.
According to Feinsand, Murakami stands out as the most promising power hitter to come out of Japan since Hideki Matsui arrived in MLB in 2003.
Matsui went on to have a highly productive major-league career with the New York Yankees and Angels, and many see Murakami as capable of forging a similar path—if not surpassing it, given his youth and extraordinary power numbers. That comparison alone highlights just how dynamic a player Murakami could become in the major leagues.
Of course, whenever a star transitions from NPB to MLB, questions naturally arise about how their performance will translate to a new environment. The differences in pitching styles, mound usage, ball composition, and overall league competitiveness can lead to variability in outcomes. Still, Murakami’s tools—particularly his prodigious power—are considered genuine and scalable. Scouts rave about his ability to generate elite exit velocities and drive the ball to all fields. These traits tend to carry over regardless of the league or country.
For the Mariners, whose offensive production has been inconsistent in recent seasons, Murakami could be exactly the kind of impact bat they have been missing. Seattle has long sought a sustainable source of middle-of-the-order power, and acquiring a player of his caliber would not only fill the void left by Suárez but potentially elevate the lineup beyond what Suárez provided in his best stretches.
When Seattle acquired Suárez at the trade deadline, there was an initial belief that he might become a multi-year fixture. His veteran presence and long track record of hitting home runs suggested he could be a logical extension candidate.
However, his performance dipped significantly after joining the Mariners, with prolonged slumps and inconsistency at the plate diminishing the likelihood of a reunion. Given his struggles and the team’s desire to increase its offensive ceiling, both sides may ultimately choose to part ways.
If that happens, Murakami becomes an even more appealing target. At just 25 years old, he represents both immediate impact and long-term value—a rare combination in free agency or international posting scenarios. His power alone could dramatically reshape Seattle’s offensive identity, while his youth ensures he would align with the organization’s desire for sustained competitiveness.
Murakami’s signing would also energize the fan base. Seattle supporters have witnessed years of roster reshuffling, promising starts, and occasional playoff pushes, yet the team has struggled to assemble a consistently potent offense. Adding one of the world’s best young sluggers could shift the entire narrative of the Mariners’ offseason and provide a jolt of excitement that reverberates throughout the franchise.
In many ways, the Mariners find themselves at a crossroads. They have built a strong foundation with elite pitching and a growing core of position players, but they still lack the type of star-caliber bat who can anchor the lineup and intimidate opposing pitching staffs.
Murakami is precisely that kind of player. His arrival would not only solve the third-base dilemma created by Suárez’s potential departure but would also give Seattle a player capable of altering both the short-term and long-term direction of the franchise.
While it remains to be seen whether the Mariners will aggressively pursue Murakami or if competition from other MLB clubs will complicate matters, the fit on paper is undeniable. If Seattle wants to take a significant leap forward in 2026, investing in an elite, young, internationally proven slugger may be the bold move that transforms their roster.
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