Breaking Murikami to the White Sox 2 x $17M

[D-train]

I knew those initial contract projections were asinine. Guessing you would have been cool with us signing him to this deal, SOB?

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/473 ... -year-deal

[Seattle or Bust]

I knew those initial contract projections were asinine. Guessing you would have been cool with us signing him to this deal, SOB?

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/473 ... -year-deal

This team is so annoying.

[harmony]

Does the Marakami signing impact the market for Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto?

Despite early projections, Okamoto could well land a a more lucrative contract than Murakami did. The Mariners should be interested in Okamoto at at similar contract.

Okamoto faces a January 4 deadline.

[D-train]

Does the Marakami signing impact the market for Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto?

Despite early projections, Okamoto could well land a a more lucrative contract than Murakami did. The Mariners should be interested in Okamoto at at similar contract.

Okamoto faces a January 4 deadline.

Totally agree. Oka at 3B and Colt at 2B and let's roll. But again, Jerry would have to lift his 4 year ban on Japanese players. Seems unlikely.

[Big_Maple]

The contract was not surprising, but his choice of teams was.

This guy is a high risk; he’s all or nothing. He was initially looking for a six or seven year deal, but no one was willing to offer that many years for a guy who had not proven himself at the American professional level.

Instead, he took a two year “ prove it” deal. If he can carry on slugging at the same level he did in Japan, then he’ll get a bigger deal in a year or two.

I’m glad we didn’t take the risk. We need more proven hitter. This guy could wind up being a Dae Ho Lee. And I agree with harmony - Okamoto would be a better fit assuming the M’s will pony up to get him.

[Seattle or Bust]

The contract was not surprising, but his choice of teams was.

This guy is a high risk; he’s all or nothing. He was initially looking for a six or seven year deal, but no one was willing to offer that many years for a guy who had not proven himself at the American professional level.

Instead, he took a two year “ prove it” deal. If he can carry on slugging at the same level he did in Japan, then he’ll get a bigger deal in a year or two.

I’m glad we didn’t take the risk. We need more proven hitter. This guy could wind up being a Dae Ho Lee. And I agree with harmony - Okamoto would be a better fit assuming the M’s will pony up to get him.

It's a risk to pay a hitter $17M over 2 years in 2026?

They paid Garver $12M over 2 years and there's actual morons who want him back.

[Big_Maple]

It's a risk to pay a hitter $17M over 2 years in 2026?

They paid Garver $12M over 2 years and there's actual morons who want him back.

I don’t want Mitch Garver back.

Every player is potentially risky.

But this guy is a huge red flag - the last 2 years he has strikeout rates around 30%, and that’s in a hitter friendly league in Japan.

This guy might figure it out in Chicago, and maybe he mashes 40 homers next year while striking out in single digits. If that’s the case, we’d look stupid for not signing him.

But for me, he’s not worth the risk. Go with a better, well rounded hitter like Okamato. Still risky, but not a one trick pony, either.

[Seattle or Bust]

It's a risk to pay a hitter $17M over 2 years in 2026?

They paid Garver $12M over 2 years and there's actual morons who want him back.

I don’t want Mitch Garver back.

Every player is potentially risky.

But this guy is a huge red flag - the last 2 years he has strikeout rates around 30%, and that’s in a hitter friendly league in Japan.

This guy might figure it out in Chicago, and maybe he mashes 40 homers next year while striking out in single digits. If that’s the case, we’d look stupid for not signing him.

But for me, he’s not worth the risk. Go with a better, well rounded hitter like Okamato. Still risky, but not a one trick pony, either.

Murakami has been dealing with injuries the last 2 years. And despite the K rates, he walks at an insane clip.

Schwarber K's 200 times a year. Ohtani K's 200 times a year. Trout K's 200 times a year.

Okamoto is going to hit .240/.330/.390 in the majors.

This risk averse bullshit is why we will never win a title.

You have to take chances that players like this boom. Not auto slot 20 year old rookies and Ben fucking Williamson in your lineup.

[Big_Maple]

Yes, he could be a Schwarber. The point is, he isn’t.

He has insane power, and like I said, he could hit 40 dingers and bring his strikeouts down 20%.

The fact is, most hitters transitioning to MLB see their numbers decrease - not hover in place, or increase.

Murakami’s whiff rate and K% would have been among the highest in MLB last year, and these numbers have been consistently trending in the wrong direction for him the last few years.

https://www.mlb.com/news/munetaka-murak ... l-analysis

He’s an interesting player and I can’t wait to see what he does for the ChiSox. I’d love to see him mash in the majors.

But he’s a risk - high upside potential, but equally a guy who struggles in the majors, especially once teams figure out how to pitch to him.

[Seattle or Bust]

Yes, he could be a Schwarber. The point is, he isn’t.

He has insane power, and like I said, he could hit 40 dingers and bring his strikeouts down 20%.

The fact is, most hitters transitioning to MLB see their numbers decrease - not hover in place, or increase.

Murakami’s whiff rate and K% would have been among the highest in MLB last year, and these numbers have been consistently trending in the wrong direction for him the last few years.

https://www.mlb.com/news/munetaka-murak ... l-analysis

He’s an interesting player and I can’t wait to see what he does for the ChiSox. I’d love to see him mash in the majors.

But he’s a risk - high upside potential, but equally a guy who struggles in the majors, especially once teams figure out how to pitch to him.

I wouldn't expect his numbers to stay in place.

What I would expect is .250/.350/.450 with 30 dingers and 200 K's.

For $17M a year at DH sign me the hell up.