Checking in on the MLB, Part 2:

• Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami looks like the best free agency pickup of the offseason. Murakami has 15 home runs so far for the White Sox, good for third in MLB right now

• What makes this really incredible? Nobody wanted him! His detractors noted high strikeout rates, struggles with velocity and poor defensive metrics. Despite Murakami hitting 56 home runs in the notably pitcher-friendly Japanese league in 2022, the White Sox were able to get him on a two-year, $34 million contract — the 20th-biggest this offseason.

• While he does strike out a lot (which nobody cares about anymore), seven of his 15 homers have been off fastballs, and he filled an obvious hole for Chicago at first base where defense isn’t as big of a concern. 

• It’s also just nice that the White Sox found somebody who agreed to play baseball for the White Sox. Pope Bobby is really doing his thing over there.

• The other big free agency prize from Japan this offseason, Kazuma Okamoto, has 10 home runs for Toronto. It feels like MLB underestimated the talent coming from NPB.