Are the Rangers a possible landing spot for the latest Japanese superstar?

At first glance, it would appear that the cost-conscious Texas Rangers would have little chance of signing Munetaka Murakami, the latest Japanese superstar set to come to the United States for the 2026 Major League Baseball season.

However, if you examine the international slot money clause that now exists in MLB, it levels the playing field slightly, giving all 30 teams a chance to sign what will likely be an expensive player.

Murakami has legit, Shohei Ohtani-like power at the plate

Playing for the Yakult Swallows of the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the 25-year-old Murakami has already established himself as the premiere power hitter in that league.

In 2022, the six-foot-two, 215-pound lefty slugger belted 56 home runs, the most ever by a Japanese-born player. In his career, Murakami has hit 246 dingers in just 892 games. He is a two-time MVP and four-time all-star in the NPB.

But how could the Rangers possibly compete with big spenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and the New York Mets?

The international money slot gives the Rangers a chance

The international money slots are set amounts of money each MLB team can spend on international amateur free agents each year. The pools are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and can be traded between teams like an ostensible currency to acquire foreign-born talent.

The Rangers come into the offseason with an international slot pool of $6.67 million, which is good for middle of the pack among MLB teams.

Should Chris Young and Rangers management be inclined to bring in the power-hitting Murakami as a corner infielder and DH, they could get creative with their allotted international money and take a run at making a splash offensively this winter.

Murakami would be an immediate upgrade over what the Rangers have now

Murakami has played 75% of his games at third base and 25% at first base. Right now, the Rangers wouldn't hesitate to bring in the prodigious slugger to replace Josh Jung, who hasn't developed into the kind of hitter the organization hoped after his All-Star 2023 campaign.

They could also put him at first base where there is currently an opening that was filled by several players last season including Rowdy Tellez, Jake Burger, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith.

The thing that the Rangers (and Astros) always have in their favor when it comes to signing free agents is the absence of a state income tax in Texas. It would allow them to offer more money to possibly lure the newest Japanese prodigy to Arlington and Globe Life Field.