The New York Mets can go a few different directions during their free agency this winter.
If there's one thing for sure, it’s that Steve Cohen will continue to pursue the top players on the market.
Whether that means improving in areas where the Mets weren't exactly great in for much of this year, or going out and trying to spend as much as they can again, the Mets will be active.
Can the Mets land the next Japanese star this offseason?
They simply have to be with the payroll they've already put together. But there will be other ways for the Mets to get creative, including with Japanese star Munetaka Murakami. Murakami is expected to be the top free agent available from Japan if he gets posted, which isn't a guarantee, and the Mets need to be all over him if he is.
The Mets have done a decent job with their international scouting department over the past few years, and with reports indicating that they've attempted to beef that up, it'll be shown in the Murakami sweepstakes, whenever it happens.
When searching for players the Mets need to pursue in free agency, Zach Pressnell of Sports Illustrated named Murakami one of the top options.
“It's unclear if Munetaka Murakami will be posted in free agency this winter, but if the Japanese superstar is, the Mets would be wise to go after him. Murakami has slugged 262 home runs in eight seasons in the NPB. He has the ability to replace Alonso at first base or Mark Vientos at third base. The slugger would fit perfectly next to Juan Soto for years to come,” he wrote.
MORE: Mets' Juan Soto is first in MLB history with this home run trifecta record
As he touched on, the Mets can only hope that Murakami will eventually be posted. If he isn't, there isn't much the organization can do.
However, if so, despite the injury he’s dealt with throughout the 2025 campaign, there's reason to believe that he can be a stud in Major League Baseball.
Throughout his career in the NPB, he's hit 262 home runs and has driven in 714 RBIs.