Munetaka Murakami, a top NPB slugger, is nearing the end of his posting window with interest from MLB teams like the White Sox and Red Sox, though his market has been quieter than expected due to concerns over his contact rates and adaptation risks. The White Sox are considering a long-term or short-term deal, especially given their less competitive outlook, while the Red Sox are more reserved, possibly preferring to pursue other options like Kazuma Okamoto.
Luke Voit has re-signed with the Rakuten Eagles for the 2026 Nippon Professional Baseball season after a strong performance in 2025, where he hit .300 with 13 home runs, helping address the team's power shortage. Voit, a veteran with MLB experience, has spent recent years outside of Major League Baseball, including stints in Mexico and Japan.
Shintaro Fujinami, a former MLB pitcher with a history of struggles in the majors, has signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan after being released from a minor league deal with the Mariners, marking his return to Nippon Professional Baseball where he has previously posted a 3.41 ERA over 10 seasons.
Roki Sasaki re-signed with Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball's Lotte Marines on a one-year contract, dispelling rumors of a potential move to MLB this winter. Sasaki, known for his impressive pitching talent, has expressed his desire to play in the majors in the future, and while there are reports of negotiations for an early departure to MLB, no specific timeline has been confirmed. With a career 2.00 ERA and a powerful pitching repertoire, Sasaki has the potential to be a sought-after free agent when he eventually makes the move to the big leagues.
