MLB RUMORS — Munetaka Murakami, the younger, homer-happy free agent slugger from Japan with strikeout issues, has until December 22 at 4pm CT to sign with a big league team. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to head back to Japan. So … how come there are literally NO rumors about his potential interests or suitors?
Even Ken Rosenthal, who still expects Murakami to land a deal before time expires next Monday, concedes that “his destination remains a mystery.” It’s pretty odd, especially now that some other DH types (Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber) have signed and we’re just a week away from the deadline. You’d think something would’ve shaken loose somewhere along the line. But nope. There’s pretty much nothing out there regarding any special interest (in either direction) for Murakami.
The Cubs were once, very briefly, connected to Munetaka Murakami, but I do not believe they make much sense. IF they even go after a big bat this offseason, it’s more likely to be Alex Bregman or the other free agent 3B from the NPB, Kazuma Okamoto. He’s a little older with a little less upside, but is a better defender at 3B, is more positionally versatile, and has a higher floor.
Okamoto has until January 4 to make his decision. So that’s when the Cubs may start to feel some pressure with him (or Bregman). If you’re looking for more on Murakami, however, check out Brett’s post on his projections from last week.
Okay, here are some other MLB Rumors from around the league.
© Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesMichael King Down to 3 Teams?
Peter Abraham (Boston Globe) reports that three teams, the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles, are competing for heavily rumored Cubs free agent target Michael King. And although he technically doesn’t say those are the only three teams, Ken Rosenthal seemed to take it that way when he discussed this report on his latest episode of Fair Territory.
Rosenthal points out that those three also make sense as something of a final group given King’s ties to the East Coast (born in New York, went to high school in Rhode Island, played baseball at Boston College and the Cape Cod League, and then played for the Yankees).
Rosenthal also wrote that the Orioles would likely have to overbid to get King if the Red Sox and Yankees were truly in.
In a vacuum, that’s all fine and dandy and logical, but it does make me a little concerned about where the Cubs fit in. Michael King may not be the best remaining free agent starter out there (Tatsuya Imai, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suarez are all still out there). And there are still a number of trade routes we believe the Cubs are pursuing. But he has been the guy most often connected to the Cubs outside of, maybe, Imai. And King will also come much cheaper than Imai, which makes him feel like a more likely option for the Cubs.
So I suppose let’s hope that Peter Abraham was just saying those are three teams interested in Michael King, but not necessarily that they are the ONLY three teams.
© Denis Poroy-Imagn ImagesMLB Trade Rumors
Speaking of the trade flavor of MLB Rumors, Ken Rosenthal has a handful of useful notes in his latest notes column at The Athletic. Among the highlights:
Ketel Marte’s five-team no-trade list includes the Athletics, Yankees, Pirates, Giants, and Cardinals. Rosenthal adds that the recent signing of Merrill Kelly and Michael Soroka does not change the Diamondbacks’ plans to trade Marte this winter, before he gets 10-5 no-trade rights this summer. We already know the Cardinals are likely to engage in a big selloff this winter, but Ken Rosenthal took it a step further on his podcast, stating his belief that ALL four of Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, and JoJo Romero will be dealt this offseason: “I do expect all of those players to go.” And he doesn’t necessarily see any of them going in package deals. So, uh, the Cardinals have some serious work to get to! Lastly, the Red Sox still sound intent on trading Jarren Duran, and the Kansas City Royals are interested. However, the current ask, according to Royals people, appears to be left-hander Cole Ragans, whom the Royals want to keep (at least with respect to this trade). They could pivot to Brendan Donovan, Rosenthal writes, but the Giants and Mariners are heavier players there with better pieces to make it work. HOWEVER, there’s a chance of a three-team trade, with the Royals dealing Kris Bubic (another potential Cubs target) for prospects the Royals could then flip to the Cardinals for Donovan. So I guess be careful which prospects you’re comfortable sending to Kansas City for Bubic, because they might end up on the Cardinals!As an aside, Jim Bowden discusses the Brendan Donovan fit with Seattle:
"There's a really good fit with Seattle. The Mariners have the farm system and the pieces that Chaim Bloom needs."@JimBowdenGM says the next shoe to drop could be Brendan Donovan getting traded. pic.twitter.com/C3bZ4XHfvU
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 15, 2025 (Open use, via Pixabay)Other MLB Rumors
There’s a whoooooole lot of smoke out there, indicating that the San Diego Padres are cooking up some sort of big-time trade, with names like Mason Miller, Nick Pivetta, Xander Bogaerts, and really anyone not named Fernando Tatis Jr. being thrown around. The Mets are often on the other end of those rumors, but it remains unclear what direction New York’s NL team is headed this winter.The Mets are reportedly shifting their focus towards Mason Miller and Luis Robert Jr.#MLBNHotStove | @StevePhillipsGM pic.twitter.com/v5K5fEzq5Z
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 15, 2025 Will Sammon has more on the Mets’ intentions at The Athletic, writing, “The Mets still want to add a starter for somewhere in the front half of their rotation, league sources said. Also, New York is eyeing another bat, league sources said. It would be surprising if the Mets didn’t supplement their outfield. Josh Bell signed a one-year deal with the Twins today.1B Josh Bell and the Twins are reportedly in agreement on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/lray5TZCHU
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