The Opener: Murakami, Red Sox, Free Agency

Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on as the week gets underway…

1. Murakami press conference:

The White Sox will host a press conference to introduce slugger Munetaka Murakami this morning at 11am CT. The two sides didn’t look to be a fit early in the offseason, when industry expectations were that the 25-year-old Murakami would command a long-term deal and when White Sox GM Chris Getz openly spoke about reluctance to commit to free agents beyond the upcoming season. However, when Murakami’s market didn’t develop as hoped, the South Siders opportunistically pounced and landed him on a two-year contract. Murakami has 80-grade raw power but concerns scouts with his struggles against velocity, penchant for whiffing and limited defensive flexibility. Even with those red flags, he could add 30 or 40 home runs to Chicago’s lineup if all goes well. Sox brass will be on hand to discuss where Murakami fits into the puzzle and what’s next on the checklist.

2. Where do the Red Sox go from here?

The Red Sox have operated exclusively on the trade market thus far, adding Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras (in separate trades) from the Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pirates. They’re the only team in the American League that hasn’t signed a free agent to a major league contract this winter and one of just two teams in either league fitting that description (joining the Rockies as the other).

Yesterday’s acquisition of Contreras seemingly sets the Sox at first base and pushes young Triston Casas down the depth chart. Casas, recovering from knee surgery performed last May, could mix in at designated hitter once he’s ready to go, but the Sox also have Masataka Yoshida to consider in that spot. They’d love to shed the remaining two years and $36MM on Yoshida’s contract, but trimming even a decent portion of that sum off the books would be a tall order. Casas has a minor league option remaining, so it’s possible he could head to Triple-A, but there figure to be other clubs looking to buy low.

The Red Sox are still receiving interest in outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. They still have plenty of minor league rotation depth to peddle. Casas now feels more expendable. Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony are the only major salaries on the long-term books. The Sox seem well positioned either for a large free-agent expenditure or another major trade, with third base and the rotation standing as natural areas of focus. Where will they go from here?

3. Last-minute holiday shopping:

The holidays are upon us, and while there’s typically a major slowdown in terms of hot stove activity over the final week of December, there’s also usually a rush to complete some last-minute deals prior to that quiet period. Last year, we saw each of Walker Buehler, Joc Pederson, Sean Manaea and Andrew McCutchen in the final days before Christmas (as can be seen in MLBTR’s Contract Tracker). The year prior, it was Kevin Kiermaier, Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui and Martin Maldonado (Contract Tracker link). In 2022, names like Michael Conforto, Craig Kimbrel, Taylor Rogers, Tucker Barnhart, Drew Smyly and Wil Myers all signed. There’s no telling exactly who’ll come off the board this week, but expect a handful of free agent deals to wrap up before front offices and players alike pump the brakes in the final days of the year.