We all know that the Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the most complete squads in MLB, and all they need is to fill a couple of spots. But it looks like the Dodgers are going on side quests with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and if it is a success, then the league might want to forget about winning the World Championship for at least another 3-4 years because they will have a backup for every spot that can do the same amount of damage, if not more, in a game.

In a recent post by Talkin’ Baseball, they revealed that, “Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and top Japanese free agent Munetaka Murakami grabbed dinner together.” And if this is anywhere close to what happened with Roki Sasaki, Munetaka Murakami is going to have a lot of competition among teams.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Munetaka Murakami were seen sharing dinner in Los Angeles recently. Fans remembered a similar scene when Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani met Roki Sasaki before signing. That earlier meeting was labeled pivotal after multiple sources confirmed its impact on Sasaki’s decision. The familiar pattern made supporters feel they were watching another significant moment unfold again.

Despite the attention, the Dodgers currently have coverage at every infield position on their roster. Murakami also posted a -7 defensive runs saved season at third base in 2023. Los Angeles already fills its designated hitter spot with Ohtani, leaving no clear opening today. The roster structure creates limited space for another full-time corner infielder at this moment

If the Dodgers pursued Murakami seriously, they could alternate him with Max Muncy at third. They could also move Mookie Betts back to right field to strengthen overall outfield defense. Such adjustments would provide Murakami with early major league exposure while preserving internal positional coverage. It would also give Los Angeles additional lineup flexibility without disrupting existing everyday contributors too drastically.

Yamamoto’s quiet dinners always seem louder than most front office pitches ever manage publicly. Murakami’s visit adds another ripple, leaving rival teams studying every photo with growing concern. The Dodgers might deny intentions, yet Yamamoto keeps hosting meals that reshape baseball’s winter landscape.

MLB fans are upset as Munetaka Murakami was seen having dinner with Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Apparently, the Dodgers’ offseason is turning into a sushi-fueled recruitment drive, and some fans aren’t taking it lightly. When your star pitcher is not just dominating on the mound but also moonlighting as a talent scout, it raises eyebrows and season-ticket holders’ blood pressure. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Munetaka Murakami were spotted sharing dinner, and let’s just say the Dodgers’ “quiet offseason” reputation might need a rewrite.

Fans saw the photo and immediately yelled, “They can’t keep getting away with this”. It reminded everyone of when the Dodgers casually wooed Shohei Ohtani over dinner last winter. And even after that, we have seen Japanese players choose the Dodgers as their destination because of players like Ohtani and Yamamoto being on the Dodgers roster. Now, fans assume every quiet meal in Los Angeles signals another superstar drifting their way. The pattern feels unmistakable, leaving rival teams exhausted before negotiations even properly begin this winter.

Fans dropped the comment “Something has to be done, Japan can’t just be the LA farm team across the ocean” after the photo surfaced. They remembered when Yoshinobu Yamamoto quietly hosted Roki Sasaki in LA before his eventual posting move. That meeting sparked similar panic, with fans convinced the Dodgers were building a private Pacific pipeline. This latest dinner only deepens that feeling, making rival teams wonder who’s next on Yamamoto’s list. Every calm offseason moment now feels staged, as if another Dodger masterplan is already unfolding quietly.

One fan said, “A Japanese player has a Japanese friend, who happens to be a Japanese player”. He figured it was just two longtime teammates from Team Japan catching up comfortably together. They trained side by side for years, creating friendships that naturally survive any league transition. To him, this dinner looked harmless, simply two familiar faces reconnecting without any recruiting agenda.

One fan argued, “I believe the Dodgers should not pursue Murakami” after seeing the photo. He pointed to Murakami’s rough -7 defensive runs saved, showing clear concerns at third base. The fan noted his shaky range grades and frequent errors make everyday defense genuinely risky. He added that the Dodgers already lack room since Ohtani fully occupies their designated hitter role. This perspective argues that Los Angeles should prioritize steadier gloves rather than another power-first project signing.

A fan joked, “lol this 1 isn’t happening Dodgers don’t have a spot for him”. He believes the roster is already packed tightly with starters locked into everyday roles. To him, adding Murakami creates pointless congestion where proven veterans already fill essential corners. He points at Max Muncy holding third base comfortably, leaving little logical room for upgrades. This view argues that Los Angeles should target pitching depth like their earlier chase for Sasaki.

In the end, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Munetaka Murakami have sparked another predictable frenzy today. Fans know the Los Angeles Dodgers love chaos more than silence and rarely resist obvious opportunities. If history repeats, Los Angeles will probably leave rivals muttering while pretending nothing unusual ever happened.