Probable Dodgers signing predicted to ink $220 million contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams expected to heavily pursue Japanese free agent Munetaka Murakami in the offseason.

Murakami will be one of the best free agents on the market, so his contract expectations will quickly weed out the majority of teams. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicted he will sign a $220 million contract.

“During his eight seasons in the Japanese League, he has hit .273/.394/.550 with 265 home runs and 722 RBI, and while his defense at third base is a bit of a question mark, his bat is fully expected to play in the big leagues,” Reuter wrote. “Contract Prediction: 10 years, $220 million.”

This would pay Murakami an average annual value of $22 million per year and take him through much of the remainder of his career. It may seem like a hefty contract for someone who hasn’t seen Major League pitching before, but Murakami has plenty of experience. This also wouldn’t be the first time the Dodgers would sign a Japanese player to a big contract fresh from Japan.

“Yoshinobu Yamamoto landed a massive 12-year, $325 million contract from the Dodgers due in large part to his age and the fact that he was not restricted by international signing limitations due to his professional experience,” Reuter wrote. “Murakami checks the same two boxes, and while he won’t match that payday, a $200 million contract is well within reach.”

With Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles, it’s likely Murakami will follow in their footsteps. He would instantly make the Dodgers better as they could use him to possibly pursue a three-peat depending upon how the World Series unfolds.

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