MLB RUMORS — Brett and I got into this a bit in our latest episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs podcast (which is still going into the offseason!), but it bears repeating in writing: For however much we may want the Cubs to add an impact bat this offseason, and for however much adding that bat at third base makes the most sense, and for however much we ALSO believe the Cubs want to continue supporting their pipeline into the NPB and Japenese-player market, we do NOT think Munetaka Murakami is a particularly likely free agent target this winter.
His age and upside are tantalizing, no doubt, but his projected price tag (north of $150M), his defensive limitations (unlikely to stick at third, more of a 1B/DH type), and his prolific strikeout/contact issues (~30 K% in the NPB…) make him a tough fit. By contrast, we do think the slightly older, cheaper, more positionally versatile Kazuma Okamoto could be a fit, and I do hope the Cubs explore those opportunities.
All that said, there is a reason I brought this up. And that would be Mike Axisa’s latest at CBS Sports.
Munetaka Murakami as a Cubs Target? Eh …
In an effort to logic his way through the potential suitors for Murakami, Axisa ranked and wrote about every team from most to least likely.
And although he hedges appropriately, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in the upper-most tier, “The Best Fits,” ranking sixth overall among the likely landing spots:
The Cubs have a strong recent history with Japanese players (Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, etc.) and will need to replace Kyle Tucker’s lefty might. Matt Shaw didn’t hit much in his MLB debut this year, though he was a Gold Glove finalist at third base. Michael Busch is locked in at first base and not going anywhere. Signing Murakami as a full-time DH, or as part of the corner infield/DH rotation, is a fine idea. I’m just not sure how appealing that would be to Murakami. In theory, the Cubbies have money to spend and it wouldn’t too difficult to make it work positionally. I may have them too high in these rankings, however.
All logical points, but as Axisa wraps up, he hits the nail on the head. In any case, the Cubs are right there along with the Diamondbacks (7th), Mets (5th), Blue Jays (4th), Mariners (3rd), Phillies (2nd), and Angels.
There are a few obvious landing spots there, particularly Philadelphia, though I do feel like a lot of teams ready to win NEXT season, might focus first on the more finished product of Kyle Schwarber.
© Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesHow the Pirates Can Up Their Payroll
Earlier today, we discussed the general expectation that the Marlins and Pirates will try to add payroll this offseason in an effort to ward off additional (official) grievances from the union and more (unofficial) grievances from the revenue-sharing payers through the league. That was more about how the Marlins may not be able to trade away Sandy Alcantara as easily as we thought, but the general point remains useful to tee up this next conversation.
In that same article at The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich discuss the Pirates’ plans to spend more this winter, but concede that it may be difficult for them to woo certain free agents wary of their commitment to spending and winning beyond this season.
But therein lies a clue as to how they can add payroll despite that fact, with some specific NL Central names attached (bolded emphasis mine):
Schwarber is a logical target, at least in terms of fit. Offense is the Pirates’ clear need. Their position players tilt more right-handed than left. PNC Park is well-suited to left-handed hitters. Schwarber not only is left-handed and coming off a 56-homer season, but also the kind of clubhouse leader the Pirates crave on the offensive side (… but) Schwarber is drawing interest from more competitive teams, including his most recent one, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Free agents such as O’Hearn, Polanco and Okamoto also might shun the Pirates if offered deals by clubs more likely to contend. Which is why the Pirates also are actively exploring trades, checking in with the St. Louis Cardinals on their available left-handed hitters, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman, and also speaking with other teams.
Players without no-trade clauses cannot prevent the Pirates from acquiring them. So that might be how Pittsburgh looks to add salary this winter. I don’t think this will ultimately result in a deal that includes the Cubs, but the NL Central implications, from Pittsburgh taking a step forward to the Cardinals finding an unexpected landing spot for their rebuild, are clear.
That’ll be a big one to keep an eye on when the Winter Meetings get underway in a couple of weeks.
Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesCompetition for Pete Fairbanks and Michael King
Two recent Cubs-specific rumors at the top of my mind: free agent reliever Pete Fairbanks and free agent starter Michael King. Click on their names for more/the latest on each. In the meantime, we have some fresh details on the Cubs’ potential competition for these pitchers, one of which comes surprisngly out of the NL Central.
Let’s start there, with Pete Fairbanks, whom Jon Morosi thinks might end up in St. Louis.
Pete Fairbanks hits the market after notching a career-high 27 saves in 2025 ?@jonmorosi predicts where the talented reliever might land in free agency.@BenVerlander | @williamfleitch pic.twitter.com/Po4trSAPiV
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 24, 2025The quote:
“The St. Louis Cardinals…Here’s how I see this playing out. The Cardinals will make some (sell-side) trades, they’ll move some veteran position players out there, and then they sign Fairbanks, who, by the way, pitched his college ball at the University of Missouri, so there’s a homecoming story for him. So he comes back to Missouri, maybe they sign him on a one-year deal, he becomes the closer in St. Louis, and then Chaim Bloom moves him at the deadline.”
Morosi also notes the connection between Bloom (Cardinals’ current President of Baseball Ops) and Fairbanks, going back to their shared time in Tampa Bay. Shrug. Okay.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, sure, I get this. Why wouldn’t they want to sign an established closer like Fairbanks, who would fetch a nice return at the deadline? Rebuilding teams aim to do that all the time with anyone of potential value, which is what Fairbanks offers, especially on a one-year deal. But … why exactly would Fairbanks agree to that? Because he knows Bloom? Because he played college ball in Missouri? Eh. I don’t buy it.
Maybe he’s not coming off the best season of his career … but Pete Fairbanks still posted a 2.83 ERA (3.04 xERA, 3.63 FIP) with solid peripherals across the board and a career-high 27 saves. There’s no reason for him to settle for a one-year deal when there should be multi-year offers on the table. It’s kind of nonsense. And I don’t just think that’s me wishcasting the Cubs into this conversation.
The next one is equally unbelievable, but again, it’s solid reporting on the competition for a player of interest to the Cubs… So, I suppose you should be aware.
According to The Athletic, the Miami Marlins are “talking with free-agent right-hander Michael King…” as they look to increase their payroll and play into the one position advantage they do have: their rotation.
I hate to shoot down these rumors from the jump, especially because we do accept that the Marlins need to increase their payroll this offseason, but I feel that they’ll have to over-pay any free agent to go there. And so predicting that it’ll actually happen is hard for me to believe.
But who knows, maybe King wants to go to the team that drafted him. Or maybe the Marlins really will offer way more than anyone else, making King’s decision easier. Or maybe the Marlins will trade away a starter, while looking to maintain their rotational strength via free agency. It’s all possible, and perfectly acceptable/believable coming from Ken Rosenthal. But … King should have better options out there. And I suspect he will.
© Denis Poroy-Imagn ImagesOther MLB Rumors:
Steven Phillips has some takes on where the value can be found in the free agent starting pitcher market this winter:These starting pitchers could prove to be valuable additions in the free agent market…#MLBNHotStove | @StevePhillipsGM pic.twitter.com/LQpzBgEN97
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 24, 2025 Three intriguing names on the free agent market following MLB’s non-tender deadline. The poor, poor Yankees want to lower their payroll in 2026 (… it was $316M last season, so I think they’ll survive).Hal Steinbrenner admits lowering payroll is "ideal" for the 2026 season t.co/EU26PDM14J pic.twitter.com/MvtMD38g7l
— SNY (@SNYtv) November 24, 2025 What’s next for the Mets after trading away Brandon Nimmo? How about signing a free agent outfielder (my money is on Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger … I don’t think they’ll aim low). Given their needs elsewhere around the diamond, especially if Pete Alonso leaves, and their renewed interest in defensive value, I think Bellinger is a pretty great fit, all things considered. He’ll get paid there, too."They got better at second base, they have the potential now to get better in the outfield as well."@AnthonyDiComo breaks down the Marcus Semien-Brandon Nimmo trade from the Mets' perspective. pic.twitter.com/kGLbaEn8Vu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 24, 2025 The Orioles will be aggressive in the top-half of the rotation … so they say!Orioles GM Mike Elias says the club will be pursuing top half of the rotation starting pitching this offseason.#MLBNHotStove | @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/GK4E2YpGF8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 24, 2025Hence then, the article about lukewarm stove murakami s fit with cubs nl central trades competition for fairbanks and king more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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