Offseason Rumors: Munetaka Murakami generating early interest, with Phillies reportedly ‘particularly keen’

Keep track of all the latest offseason rumors pertaining to the Phillies on Phillies Nation.

Sunday, Nov. 16: Nikkan Sports: Phillies ‘particularly keen’ on Murakami

Officially posted last week by the NPB’s Yakult Swallows, corner infielder Munetaka Murakami has been approached by several MLB teams, according to Japanese outlet Nikkan Sports, with the Phillies reportedly “particularly keen” on the power hitter.

Murakami has red flags all over his MLB profile, as we wrote about Saturday on Phillies Nation. But for a team seeking more home run threat this offseason, especially if Kyle Schwarber departs in free agency, the initial interest, if true, in Murakami — nicknamed the “Japanese Babe Ruth” — makes sense.

The Schwarber factor looms over everything, though, for the Phillies’ entire offseason but especially for any Murakami traction. He’s a left-handed home run hitter with not much defensive value, likely suited for DH long term. And he won’t be cheap.

Murakami has until Dec. 22 to sign, and Schwarber waiting longer than that would come as a surprise to no one. It’s possible that the Phillies committing to Murakami would take themselves out of the Schwarber sweepstakes, which, given the industry’s general stance that a reunion is more likely than not, would be a stunning pivot. But things can develop between now and then that make a Murakami push pragmatic.

It’s also possible that the Phillies are doing this with some mild level of interest, but mainly with the intent to position themselves as real players in the Japanese market, even if they don’t wind up signing him. The initial interest, at least, is worth noting. — Nathan Ackerman

Saturday, Nov. 15: Gelb: Phillies receiving trade interest in lefty relievers

The free agent market is short on solid left-handed relievers. The Phillies have three of them, José Alvarado, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks, in their bullpen. There is interest around the league in all three, per The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb. Alvarado and Strahm are under contract for one more season. Banks is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility.

The Phillies could enter the 2026 season with the same core of high leverage relief options, or mix it up. But as Gelb mentioned in his story, the front office needs to do a much better job at finding depth beyond their best guys. The Phillies were burned for relying on José Ruiz, who was designated for assignment in June. Carlos Hernández, an early season waiver claim, did not pitch well. Joe Ross, a $4 million signing, was released in August. Jordan Romano, last offseason’s biggest acquisition, had an ERA over 8. — Destiny Lugardo

Wednesday, Nov. 12: Gelb: Johan Rojas available in trade discussions

Does a “re-imagined” Phillies outfield in 2026 include Johan Rojas? Rojas, 25, is one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball, but has had an OPS under .600 in 530 plate appearances over the last two seasons. He would have been on the Phillies’ 2025 NLDS roster as a bench player if not for a quad injury suffered at the end of the Triple-A season.

According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Rojas is available in trade discussions.

The Phillies could go in a number of different directions in center field. Dave Dombrowski told reporters at this week’s GM meetings in Las Vegas that the team is comfortable with Justin Crawford in center field, despite major questions about his ability to stick at the position. Brandon Marsh could also open the season in center, although he is a stronger defender in the corner outfield spots. Perhaps the Phillies pursue a reunion with Harrison Bader on a multi-year deal or sign a bounce back candidate such as Cedric Mullins to a one-year deal. — Destiny Lugardo

Wednesday, Nov. 12: What’s the latest on Nick Castellanos?

Speaking to reporters, including Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, at the general managers’ meetings on Tuesday, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski once again addressed the situation surrounding Nick Castellanos. Although the outfielder has a year remaining on his contract, Dombrowski did not commit to having Castellanos on the 2026 roster at an end-of-season news conference in Philadelphia last month. And Dombrowski’s latest comments in Las Vegas continued to make it seem like Castellanos could certainly end up on another club next season.

“I did speak with Nick,” Dombrowski said. “I had a lengthy conversation with him. I think we’re just kind of open-minded for discussion purposes. … But sometimes change of sceneries can be beneficial for people, too.”

Castellanos struggled in the field and at the plate in 2025, turning in his worst full season as a major leaguer. He was benched as a punishment for something he said to manager Rob Thomson in June and lost playing time down the stretch due to his performance as the Phillies eventually pivoted toward using platoons in the corner outfield spots, limiting Castellanos to starts against left-handers for the most part. The right fielder expressed frustration with both his diminished role and with Thomson at different points. He hit 17 home runs with a .694 OPS in 147 games.

The Phillies could look to move Castellanos, who hired a new agent in Gene Mato this offseason, in a salary-dumping trade. Maybe they could even release him if they can’t find the right deal. It just doesn’t appear likely that Castellanos will be back in Philadelphia after the way this year played out. — Ty Daubert

Tuesday, Nov. 11: Could Nolan Arenado be a fit for Phillies?

Veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado was ultimately not traded by St. Louis last offseason. But if the Cardinals deal the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glover this time around, could Philadelphia make sense as a landing spot?

Reporting from the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, Cardinals beat writer Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat wrote, “The Philadelphia Phillies seemed like the most logical destination for Arenado last winter, and that has seemingly only intensified after another year of playoff disappointment.”

The Phillies will have positions to upgrade, and third base could be one after Alec Bohm posted a .741 OPS in 2025. But at this point in his career, it’s not exactly clear that Arenado would be an improvement for Philadelphia. Once an MVP candidate, Arenado had just 12 home runs and a .666 OPS this past season. He was limited to 107 games. He’s still an excellent defender, but his offense appears to be on the decline.

Arenado is owed $31 million in cash over the next two seasons (with additional deferrals down the line), and he’ll turn 35 in April. Even if the Cardinals were to eat a portion of his salary and take back only a lottery-ticket prospect in return, Arenado would probably not provide enough to be a wise use of the Phillies’ resources. What the Phillies could potentially do, however, is try to flip another expensive player, such as Nick Castellanos or Taijuan Walker, for Arenado if they believe he’s a better fit. He’s under contract for a year longer than those two, but he’s owed less annually from this point forward. St. Louis could clear money faster, and Philadelphia could add an infielder and hope he returns to form.

Still, the Phillies could likely find better solutions for their lineup elsewhere, as Arenado’s days as an impact bat might be behind him. — Ty Daubert

Friday, Nov 7: Salisbury: Phillies have “seriously” discussed hiring Don Mattingly as bench coach

The Phillies are looking for a new bench coach after moving Mike Calitri to the newly-established major league field coordinator role. Former Marlins and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly left his role as Blue Jays bench coach after the World Series. Could he be a candidate for the same role in Philadelphia? Jim Salisbury discussed the possibility on the WIP Morning Show:

It’s been seriously discussed by the organization. You know, there might be a complication. His son (Preston) is the GM as we all know, but maybe that’s not a complication. But, you know, they are on record as saying they want to have a bench coach who has major league managerial experience. He’s managed two teams. He’s got history with Rob Thomson dating back to their time as staffers on the Yankees. He’s got history with Kevin Long. Obviously, his son is there. And he’s a good baseball man and, you know, on that coaching staff, there’s a real dearth of major league experience on the playing side. He would really bring some of that. So he might bring some different kind of voice in that clubhouse and a different level of respect. They have talked about it. Dave Dombrowski wants it, from what I’ve heard. That’s his kind of guy. And we’ll see where it goes. Obviously, Don Mattingly has left the door open to stay in baseball. He would like to manage, but I don’t think any of the managerial openings that are still around intrigue him. But coming here and trying to get a ring here with his son, I think it would be a hell of a story.