Rangers' interest in Japanese superstar may signal the end for these infield fixtures

Just days after ESPN insider Jeff Passan linked the Rangers with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, he is now including the team as one of a handful of organizations looking to acquire corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto.

Rangers are one interested party along with the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates. Okamoto, 29, is expected to be posted by Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Baseball League on Wednesday, which will open a 45-day window for team's to agree to a deal with the infielder. He is being represented by Scott Boras of the Boras Corporation.

The organization's interest may be a precursor that either Jake Burger or Josh Jung's days in Arlington are nearing an end.

Okamoto was having a stellar season before being sidelined by injury

In 2025 with the Giants, Okamoto slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 homers and 21 doubles in just 69 games before suffering an elbow injury that shelved him for the remainder of the year. Perhaps even more appetizing is that he only struck out 33 times over 293 plate appearances. That is a terrific SLUG/K ratio, one that is far superior to Burger or Jung.

During his 10 years in the NBP, the 29-year-old racked up 277 homers and 872 RBIs while maintaining an impressive .856 OPS. From 2018 to 2024, he has averaged 33 home runs per season.

The six-foot, 212 pound corner infielder and outfielder also has mashed his way to a career .501 slugging percentage over his professional career.

If the Rangers can't land Murakami, Okamoto would be a nice consolation prize

By most metrics, Murakami is the most prized Japanese offensive target headed stateside next year. He is younger and hits for more power than Okamoto. Still, if the Rangers could land either of these superstars, it would be a significant upgrade over what the team has right now in Burger and Jung.

Okamoto has had some monster seasons for the Yomiuri Giants, highlighted by his 2023 campaign in which he hit .278 with 41 home runs and 91 RBI. His 958 OPS that year was the best of his career.

If either Burger or Jung are seeing this headline, then they should be nervous about their job security. Both players were inconsistent at best last year, and they have each shown a propensity for injury.

Look for Chris Young and the Rangers front office to make a real push to acquire the services of Okamoto to plug one of the offensive holes from the 2025 season.