Memo to MLB’s big spenders: Get those wallets open.
Munetaka Murakami is set to be posted Friday, opening the 45-day window for MLB teams to negotiate with the star Japanese third baseman, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed.
The 25-year-old is expected to have a heavy market this winter, with the Mets likely among those interested in the slugger who hit 246 homers over eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, including a record 56 in 2022.
He hit 22 long balls in 56 games while battling an oblique injury this past season with the Yakult Swallows, slashing .273/.379/.663.
Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows grounds out in the 7th inning against Hanshin Tigers. Getty Images
Murakami’s power is more than enough to draw interest despite a high strikeout rate.
Mets general manager David Stearns took a trip to Japan last summer to see him in action.
With first baseman Pete Alonso set to hit free agency — unburdened by a qualifying offer this time — the Mets could look to Murakami, who can also play first, as a potential replacement.
The Mets have been players in the recent crop of Japanese stars to come stateside, having offered pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto the same 12-year, $325 million deal he got with the Dodgers. They were also in the mix for phenom Roki Sasaki, who ended up in Los Angeles as well.
They signed Kodai Senga to a five-year, $75 million pact before the 2023 season.
Pete Alonso’s Mets future is uncertain. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Unlike Sasaki, however, Murakami is not considered an amateur and can command free agent money — expected to hit nine figures — ahead of his Dec. 5 window deadline.
He likely won’t be alone in heading to the U.S. with Yomiuri Giants star Kazuma Okamoto and Seibu Lions pitching star Tatsuya Imai expected to be posted, too, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman.
