(LOS ANGELES) — The Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominance in the international market is set to continue, fueled by the team’s own homegrown Japanese superstars. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto has officially taken up the role of recruiter, igniting the biggest buzz of the offseason by being spotted at dinner with Japanese free agent slugger Munetaka Murakami.
The photo, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the two baseball stars—former teammates for Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic—dining together, sending a clear message: the Dodgers are not done stacking their roster with global talent.
The Target: Munetaka Murakami
Murakami, 25, is the most coveted Japanese hitter to enter MLB free agency since Shohei Ohtani.
The Crown: Known as Nippon Professional Baseball’s (NPB) home run king, Murakami shattered records in 2022 with 56 home runs in a single season.
The Fit: The left-handed slugger, who plays both third base and first base, is widely seen as the ideal long-term replacement for the aging Max Muncy (entering his expected final year with the Dodgers) at third base. The addition of Murakami would secure the Dodgers’ infield corner for the next decade.
The Price Tag: Murakami is expected to command a nine-figure contract in MLB, plus a significant posting fee to his former team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
The Dynasty Pipeline
With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and closer Roki Sasaki already on the roster, the Dodgers have successfully established themselves as the premier destination for Japan’s elite talent. Yamamoto’s personal recruiting pitch leverages this environment.
“The Dodgers have become the pipeline,” stated one international scout. “Being surrounded by familiar faces and winning World Series rings is the most powerful recruiting tool there is. Yamamoto is just making sure Murakami knows he’ll be comfortable on day one.”
While other teams like the Mariners, Padres, and Red Sox are vying for the slugger’s services, the sight of a reigning World Series MVP actively recruiting a former teammate is a development that is hard to ignore. The Dodgers dynasty is attempting to secure the latest global superstar, ensuring their path to a third straight title remains clear.
