Toronto Baseball Insider has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Blue Jays or MLB

Blue Jays expected to replace Ernie Clement with 25 year old slugger free agent


Victor William
Dec 16, 2025  (11:45)
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (22) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays have already made some big additions this off-season but it looks like they are not done just yet as they are hoping to add another slugger.

The Blue Jays have made quite a few additions so far this off-season but have yet to make any big signings involving anything else but a pitcher which looks like it may be their next move.

Blue Jays going after free agent Munetaka Murakami

International free agent Munetaka Murakami has been receiving quite a bit of attention over the last couple of weeks and the Blue Jays seem to be one of the front runners to land him.
According to insider Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays along with the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates are all interested in signing him.
Murakami is of interest to teams like the Red Sox, the Mariners, the Tigers, the Phillies, the Mets, the Jays, a lot of different teams,» Morosi said in a YouTube video posted by MLB Network. «The Pirates, I have been told, are connected to Murakami. -Morosi

Murakami has until 5 PM on December 22nd to reach an agreement with an MLB as his free agency window closes after that.
Timeline of when each Japanese FA must sign to an MLB Club:

Munetaka Murakami: Must sign a contract by December 22 at 5 pm

Tatsuya Imai: Must sign a contract by January 2nd at 5 pm

Kazuma Okamoto: Must sign a contract by January 4th at 5 pm

Kona Takahashi: Must sign a contract by January 4th at 5 pm
Last season in the NPB, Murakami finished with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs despite only playing in 69 games which proves how incredible of a hitter he is.
If the Blue Jays do end up closing on him, they will need to figure out what to do with Ernie Clement since the two play the same position. They could trade Clement which would bring them back a solid return with how he has been playing over the last two seasons.
POLL
DECEMBRE 16|702 ANSWERS
Blue Jays expected to replace Ernie Clement with 25 year old slugger free agent

Should the Blue Jays replace Ernie Clement with Munetaka Murakami?

Yes679.5 %
No63590.5 %
List of polls

TORONTO BASEBALL INSIDER
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT