"Not 'couldn't acquire,' but 'didn't acquire'? The reason the Dodgers passed on the Japanese star"

"The Dodgers' 'Japanese Dominance' Won't End with Just One Quiet Winter"—This argument posed by FanSided appears surprisingly logical when viewed from the perspective of the 2025-26 offseason's transfer market as a "scramble for Japanese players." In conclusion, the claim is that the Los Angeles Dodgers not acquiring top-tier Japanese free agents (via NPB posting) this offseason is not a sign of "decline" but rather a result of "fit and risk calculation."FanSided

"Was it that they 'couldn't acquire' or 'chose not to acquire'?"—The main point is 'fit'

The article first emphasizes that the main candidates this offseason did not fit well with the Dodgers' roster situation. Examples include Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto. Both are corner infield-DH types, and the Dodgers already have Shohei Ohtani at DH, with Freeman and Muncy at the corners, leaving little "playing time room" by 2026. It makes little sense to move to the U.S. as bench players, and other teams can more easily offer "starting positions from the get-go."FanSided

As a result, Murakami agreed to a $34 million two-year deal with the White Sox, choosing to first secure playing opportunities (making it easier to try again with a short-term contract).Reuters

Pitcher Tatsuya Imai also agreed to a three-year contract with opt-outs each year with the Astros, designed with "upside potential," showing that the market dynamics were not limited to "Dodgers only."MLB.com

Furthermore, it was reported that Okamoto ultimately agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with the Blue Jays, indicating that the main players in the transfer market are not limited to the Dodgers.AP News

The next point is 'risk': Japanese achievements ≠ MLB certainty

FanSided next discusses that each of the three players this offseason has clear concerns. Murakami has "contact and defense," Imai has "how his pitches will translate in MLB," and Okamoto has "ceiling (can he become a star)." The article cautions that challenges in adapting from Japan are inevitable.FanSided

The Dodgers have continued to "win big in the Japanese market" with Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki (Roki), and it is possible that their successful experiences led them to critically evaluate whether there was a necessity to pursue this offseason's candidates with "high-cost, long-term deals."

However, the 'dominance' doesn't end—The key is "retest market" and "timing"

Here's where the article gets interesting: just because the Dodgers couldn't acquire anyone this offseason doesn't mean they will lose their appeal to Japanese stars.

Murakami's two-year contract and Imai's multi-year deal with opt-outs are designed to return to the market early if they perform well.Reuters

Moreover, the Dodgers will have 'openings' due to age curves and contract durations. The article mentions future changes like Muncy (contract ending in 2026) and Freeman (until 2027), suggesting that "if the timing is right, they can pursue again."FanSided

And finally, the structural strengths of the Dodgers—

• The living environment of Southern California

• Geographical proximity to Japan

• Financial power and expectations of constant winning

• The 'sense of security' with existing Japanese stars like Ohtani and Yamamoto
  These factors continue to act as a 'gravitational pull' for Japanese free agents.FanSided

"Who Will They Acquire Next?"—The list of future candidates shows 'continuity'

The article names future candidates like Teruaki Sato, Atsuki Taneichi, and Daiya Miyagi, concluding that "even if this offseason is quiet, the next wave will come."FanSided

The very existence of this 'candidate-based narrative' suggests that the Dodgers' Japanese strategy is not seen as a "temporary boom."

SNS Reactions: The 'Japanese Market Offseason' without the Dodgers was rather exciting

The notable feature this time is not that the Dodgers didn't acquire (or couldn't acquire) anyone, but that "teams other than the Dodgers made the scramble for Japanese stars 'their own business.'" There were three main trends in the reactions.

① The provocation and backlash of "Is the Dodgers' dominance over?"

In the U.S. fan community, there was a narrative, especially after Murakami joined the White Sox, questioning whether Japanese players would no longer gather with the Dodgers. At the same time, there was a calm observation that the three players this offseason didn't fit the roster, along with critiques of the very atmosphere of "wanting to involve the Dodgers."Dodgers Way

On platforms like Reddit, the surprise and welcome of the contracts themselves were widely discussed, symbolizing the dispersion of attention to "teams other than the Dodgers."Reddit

② Japanese attention focused on "Murakami adapting to Chicago" (cold weather, lifestyle, local welcome)

In the Japanese-speaking sphere, while there was surprise at Murakami's decision, voices evaluating the rationality of "prioritizing playing opportunities with a short-term contract → re-challenging the market based on results" were prominent. Domestic media also summarized "positive reactions," and his personal enthusiasm (on Instagram) spread widely.nikkansports.com

On the other hand, posts concerned about "Chicago's cold weather" and the living environment went viral, with attention drawn to cautioning traveling fans, moving SNS beyond just the context of play.X (formerly Twitter)

Furthermore, local sophisticated welcome gestures were spread in the Japanese-speaking sphere as "touching" and "tasteful," quickly elevating Murakami's personal narrative.THE ANSWER Sports Culture & Development & General News & Columns

③ Imai and Okamoto became the main focus with "contract design" and "unexpected transfer destinations"

Imai's move to the Astros was emphasized as a "strategic move" with opt-outs in the contract, sparking a "contract interpretation battle" on SNS with comments like "If he performs well in the short term, he can quickly become a free agent again" and "The team can also manage risks." The official announcements and reports led to simultaneous surprise and anticipation.MLB.com

For Okamoto, discussions about his role (mainly expected at third base) became active immediately after the Blue Jays agreement report. AP also reported that he is expected to be used primarily at third base, making "where he will play" the central topic of fan conversations.AP News

Conclusion: A Quiet Winter is Not the "End" but the "Next Seat Shuffle"

This offseason did not demonstrate the difficulty of the Dodgers remaining the "main player" in Japan, but rather showed that the transfer of Japanese stars has spread throughout MLB.

However, from FanSided's perspective, this doesn't mean the Dodgers' appeal has diminished; rather, this offseason simply didn't align in terms of fit and risk, and when the next wave comes, the 'gravitational pull' will work again.FanSided

Murakami and Imai's contract designs are premised on re-entering the market, and Okamoto's transfer created a successful experience of "acquiring Japanese big names outside the Dodgers." Whether the Dodgers will return to the 'center' next offseason or if the multi-polarity will become entrenched—the answer will be determined by the 'next match' created by performance and roster openings.