rewrite this title Dodgers Named Potential Fit for Japanese Slugger Coming to MLB This Offseason

Starting third baseman Max Muncy has a $10 million club option for next season.

One would think the Los Angeles Dodgers would pick that up considering the value of the deal in correspondence with Muncy’s production on the field and his value in the clubhouse.

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At the same time, Muncy turns 35 later this month. Injuries have begun to pile up — and if this season has taught the Dodgers anything, getting younger across the board likely is the way to go moving into the future.

Longtime MLB pundit Jon Heyman made an appearance on the Walk-Off segment (courtesy of Bleacher Report). One topic he touched upon is the status of impending free agent Munetaka Murakami. The slugging infielder is reportedly heading over to Major League Baseball this offseason. At 25 years of age, he figures to be a hot commodity for teams in search of power.

A host of teams were mentioned in the hypothetical Murakami sweepstakes. Among them was the Dodgers. Heyman touched on the status with Muncy, and while he admitted that the veteran third baseman still has some productivity left in his bat, the Dodgers could opt to still make it work with both Murakami and Muncy in some form or fashion.

Murakami is one of the most prolific position players in Japan. The left-handed slugger already has 248 career homers in eight professional seasons dating back to when he was 18 years of age.

There are some questions about his ability from a defensive standpoint. Some view him more so as a first baseman/DH type. Having said that, he checks a lot of the boxes — from legitimate power to an impressive career OPS of .940. For good measure, he’s also a career .273 hitter.

Murakami will have to work on his bat-to-ball skills. He does strike out perhaps more than some would like. At the same time, the pop he possesses should result in a guy that hits 25-30 homers a year in a perfect world.

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Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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