Alex Bregman opted out of his three-year contract last week to hit the free-agent market. The 31 year old and the Red Sox need to come to an agreement that sees Bregman’s return to Boston. If things don’t work out that way, then the Red Sox would need an immediate fit at third base. And as it turns out, there’s an ideal candidate right in sight.

However, he’s also on the wishlist of several clubs, including the Yankees and Dodgers. Throughout his career, the Japanese phenom Munetaka Murakami has been a standout player.

Since 2017, he’s been the face of the Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Central League. Having spent nearly 75% of his games at third base, Murakami is naturally the Red Sox’s top choice.

Dean Ciriaco of The Skippers view noted on X that “the Red Sox fully intend on meeting with Munetaka Murakami and that they view him as a potential replacement to Alex Bregman.”

According to him, “Bregman was not worth the $40 million. He produced around $28 million worth of value. Time to move on.The last time the Red Sox signed a player from international waters was Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million deal.

As he will be posted this winter, he’ll be available to all 30 big positioned-league clubs. But the two that are best to meet his hefty price tag would be the Yankees and Dodgers.

It’s been expected that the Japanese star could receive anywhere between $200 and $300 million. Now most importantly, how aggressively the Red Sox will pursue Murakami will most likely depend on Bregman’s return.

If the 31 year old re-signs on another contract, then the Red Sox wouldn’t stretch their budget to chase Munetaka Murakami.If not the Red Sox, Yankees or Dodgers, there’s another club in the mix who could go all in for bringing in the Japanese star

The New York Mets listed as suitors for the Red Sox’s target

After enduring a painful season, the New York Mets have a lot of roster decisions to be made. Largely because their home run king, Pete Alonso, is entering free agency.

Alonso’s return is quite uncertain and the Mets need a backup plan.According to MLB insider Robert Murray, the Mets are the perfect suitors for Munetaka Murakami from Japan. The 26-year-old is expected to draw big interest from the market. The teams are going to line up for his services.It could take him some time to adjust to major league pitching.

But there’s no doubt he will still do pretty well in free agency.“I expect many big market teams to be involved with the Japanese infielder expected to be posted after hitting 265 home runs in eight seasons. Best fits: New York Mets, New York Yankees.” Murray noted.

The Japanese phenom has a raw power and that’s what makes him an attractive option for the Mets next year after Alonso moves out. In fact, president of baseball operations David Stearns also travelled all the way to Japan back in August, only to see Murakami. In Steaens’ attendance, Murakami had hit a walk-off home run.

Murakami could easily fit in the Mets’ budget, as while they spend big, he wouldn’t cost them a lot, as he’s still young. But it’s important to note that it’s going to be a bidding war with many big-market teams interested in him.