Pirates lose rumored offseason target to White Sox in surprise free agent splash

There are misses, and there are moments –– and this winter, the Pittsburgh Pirates let another moment slip straight through their fingers.

When Japanese free-agent slugger Munetaka Murakami landed with the Chicago White Sox on a surprise two-year, $34 million deal, it felt like the kind of gut punch Pirates fans know all too well. Not because Murakami was a lock to become a superstar — but because this was exactly the type of swing Pittsburgh keeps telling us it’s ready to take.

If ever there was a free-agent moment built for a team desperate for power — and desperate to prove it actually means it when it says it’s willing to spend — this was it. After all, the Pirates had already gone after Murakami's exact profile in free agency this offseason. They pushed hard for Kyle Schwarber. They went after Josh Naylor. They came up empty both times.

But then, there was Murakami. Twenty-five years old. Massive left-handed power. A global star. And, critically, available without surrendering a single prospect. For a front office that constantly talks about flexibility, creativity, and long-term vision, this was the cleanest possible path to adding middle-of-the-order thump.

And yet… nothing.

From the outside, it looks like another case of the Pirates circling the airport but never boarding the plane. Another opportunity where “interest” didn’t turn into action. Another reminder that being linked to players doesn’t actually improve a lineup.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth Pirates fans have to wrestle with: maybe this time, the miss wasn’t purely a failure. Murakami is a fascinating gamble — and a risky one.

Pirates miss out on Munetaka Murakami, but red flags in his offensive profile may not have been worth the risk

Yes, Murakami is Japan’s single-season home run king. Yes, his raw power is undeniable. But the concerns are real.

Murakami's strikeout rates in NPB were already high, and evaluators have expressed concern over his ability to hit MLB velocity and elite breaking stuff. There’s also growing skepticism about his defensive future, with many teams viewing him as a pure DH rather than the corner infielder he was overseas.

That matters for Pittsburgh. This roster already has lineup logjams, defensive questions, and limited margin for error. Dropping $17 million per year on a bat-only player who might struggle to adjust would have been a real gamble — especially for a front office that doesn’t get many chances to miss big.

So yes, two things can be true. It’s possible the Pirates dodged a bullet. But fans are also tired of hearing that after the fact.

At some point, a team that claims it’s ready to compete has to accept risk. Not every move is going to be safe. Not every bat is going to be a sure thing. And when the offseason’s clearest power option signs elsewhere without breaking the bank, it reinforces the same lingering doubt: does this organization actually trust itself to make bold bets?

Because whether Murakami becomes a star or struggles against MLB pitching, the Pirates once again weren’t the ones to find out. And that — more than any scouting concern — is what’s hardest to swallow.