The Philadelphia Phillies are heading into a pivotal offseason, as the decisions for Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto are massive ones for Dave Dombrowski to make.
Losing a slugger like Schwarber would be a massive blow. But if they do lose him in free agency, there is one player who would be a good replacement.
Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami would be an interesting replacement. And according to a new report from nikkansports.com, the Phillies are showing strong interest in Murakami.
Phillies showing interest in Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami
“Munetaka Murakami, who officially submitted his posting application on the 8th, has already been approached by several teams,” according to a translated report from Nikkan Sports, “One team that is particularly keen on him is the Phillies.”
While the Phillies’ interest in Murakami isn’t unexpected, this report singling out the Phillies is worth keeping an eye on this winter.
Murakami was posted on November 8th and has a 45-day window to sign with an MLB team. Philadelphia is interested in Murakami to replace Schwarber if he departs in free agency.
If Schwarber departs in Murakami’s signing window, then they will have an easy backup plan in Murakami. But if Schwarber doesn’t make his decision until after Murakami’s signing window is up, then the Phillies would be in a tricky spot.
The 25-year-old slugger is a polarizing free agent. While he has elite power-hitting numbers, hitting 56 home runs in 2022, 31 in 2023, 33 in 2024, and 24 in 2025, he tends to strike out a lot.
In 69 games in 2025, Murakami struck out 71 times. He struck out 180 times in 2024, 168 times in 2023, 128 times in 2022, 133 times in 2021, 115 times in 2020, and 184 times in 2019.
But, Schwarber is also known for striking out often. In 162 games this season, he struck out 197 times, making it his second consecutive 197-strikeout season. In 2023 and 2022, Schwarber led the NFL in strikeouts with 215 and 200 strikeouts, respectively.
There are a lot of comparisons between Murakami and Schwarber, and based on this report, their interest in the Japanese slugger is very real.
A decision with Murakami has to come by December 20th, giving Philadelphia a hard deadline to decide whether to sign Murakami or bring Schwarber back.
He might not be signed if Schwarber returns to Philadelphia, but the interest from Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies is significant, and something to keep an eye on.
