Munetaka Murakami is the logical trade target to fix the Red Sox' sagging offensive floor originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox have had a real rough start to the 2026 season. With an ugly record of 9-14, Boston has struggled at the mound, and even worse at the plate.
If they want to have any chance to contend this season, getting an upgrade offensively is a solution. Luckily, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami as a top name to watch at the 2026 Trade Deadline.
“Even with his eight home runs, the White Sox have one of the worst run differentials and seem all but destined to find their way back into dead last in the AL standings. For them to even consider parting with Murakami's two-year, $34 million contract, it's likely going to take a gargantuan offer, even if they have minimal hope of extending him beyond 2027,” Miller wrote.
For the record, at the time of publication, the White Sox had an American League-worst 5-18 record.
The Red Sox are one of the worst offenses in the MLB at the moment. As a team, their average is 19th in the league, and they are in the bottom five when it comes to runs batted in (RBI) and runs scored overall.
With barely any of their hitters doing anything, they need a spark plug to recharge their offense, and make it look somewhat similar to the dynamic firepower they commanded last season.
So far this season, Murakami is slashing an incredible .234/.394/.584/.978 with nine home runs and 17 RBI in 23 games. His power would become a major addition to the Sox’ roster, which is ranked second to last in OPS in the MLB.
Murakami is also only 26 years old, making him match up with the average age range of Boston’s core. He’d have to be the DH with Willson Contreras currently at first base, but once his contract is over, Murakami could take over.
The Sox would have to dip into their farm once again to get Murakami. The last time Boston made a deal with Chicago for a budding superstar was Garrett Crochet, but Murakami probably won’t command the same price.
The Red Sox will probably have to part with a couple top prospects and an MLB hitter to replace Murakami in Chicago’s lineup, but it would be worth it. He could become a mainstay in Fenway, as long as the Red Sox extend him.
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