For the Boston Red Sox fans, the World Series has been a roller coaster of emotions. Can’t really root for the rival Jays, and well, the Dodgers and Mookie Betts’ history is not helping either! For now, the next best thing is to dream about taking the Jays’ spot in the next Fall Classic and look for players who can help. An insider has given a name, the same player the Yankees have been asked to steer clear of.

Munetaka Murakami! The 25-year-old is known as the next Aaron Judge, and insiders think he fits into the Boston Red Sox roster perfectly.

Cody Williams mentioned in Fansided, “It remains to be seen how realistic the Red Sox are as a suitor for Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, but Boston has already been connected to the power-hitting corner infielder earlier in the year, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. That also makes sense, given Breslow and the front office making clear they’ll be looking to add thump and power to the lineup for the 2026 season. Murakami can certainly offer that power, which he’s showcased throughout his career in Japan.”

Murakami has shown immense power in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

He slashed 24 homers and 10 doubles in just 69 games this season. He’s put up 30+ homers in all but one season since 2019, and here is the best part—he is not even 26! But Williams has also given a disclaimer – Murakami shouldn’t be a top priority for Boston.

“If Rafael Devers’ defense was a concern to Breslow and this regime, that alone should eliminate Murakami, whose defense is bad enough that he could be relegated to a DH role in the next couple of years.” And this is something even analyst Ryan Garcia had warned the Yankees about.

He tweeted out, “The Yankees need to stay FAR AWAY from Munetaka Murakami.” The reason?

A 49% swing-and-miss on breaking balls, 63% contact, and negative defense at 1B/3B. His offense is a massive question mark, and hence, the roster can find better options elsewhere. Sure, he has had a strong second half in 2025, with 22 homers, 47 RBIs, and a 1.043 OPS. But his rising strikeout rate and struggles against MLB pitchers do leave plenty of doubts, too.

Right now, for both teams, the smartest thing would be to know when to hijack a star and when to pass!

Why Shane Bieber should be Boston’s pitching priority this offseason

The Boston Red Sox desperately need pitching. The rotation in this season started looking deep, maybe even bloated, and hence the team cut ties with Quinn Priester and Sean Newcomb. But then, as the season rolled, so did the injuries.

Everyone was hit with it from Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, and Lucas Giolito—and the list goes on.

By playoff time, the Boston Red Sox were leaning on arms that were young and were not even supposed to make it into the MLB this season. So, the Boston front office this offseason has some serious work to do.

Craig Breslow has already signaled that starting pitching is their top priority. And this is where one name comes forth. Shane Bieber. 

Currently, he is assisting the Toronto Blue Jays in their World Series run. But he is the kind of starter that Boston should cover. Reportedly, last season, they did make a “serious push” to sign him, but Bieber decided to stay back and rehab.

Fast forward a year, and he is thriving with the Blue Jays. Bieber has a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season appearances and three straight playoff outings, allowing just two earned runs. Add in the accolades from the Cy Young Award and two All-Star selections—he is a pitcher who essentially checks out just about every box.

While he has a $16 million player option for 2026, given the season he is having, we won’t be surprised if he heads to free agency. Can Boston grab him there?