Autumn Dreamin

Another Sox laden front page at Sanspo, hyping up Mune's debut tomorrow

I love EQ. Like you said, really smart and dedicated. Comes across as so mature for someone not yet 23. I really value the game/pitcher management side of catching and I rate him over Teel there, so he'd get the bulk of games at C if it were up to me. But I won't complain about being a bit spoiled at the position. When it comes to ABS challenges, the MiLB data shows that catchers are comfortably the most accurate with challenges, batters are a bit worse, and pitchers are pretty terrible. Quero was good with them from both sides of the plate in AAA due to his plus zone recognition. Thought it was interesting he said he'd value them more as a catcher than a batter.

Hope he has a healthy year

FWIW re: sponsorships, in addition to that reported "third party" interest in helping with the clubhouse bidet situation, Boyer has already been to court sponsors, distribution partners, etc. in Japan and talked about a goal of "expanding the brand" there. Peaking into Japanese baseball Twitter/media gives a bit of insight into how popular Mune is, and having the Sox logo next to his face on newspaper front pages is an asset that's easy to see the value of. The short term deal made sense for both sides with how the market shook out, but if his game translates to MLB then I do think a good faith effort to extend him is likelier than not.

MLB players can't play in the early exhibitions, which is part of Mune's reason for staying in camp a few extra days. He isn't expected to play until the games in Osaka on March 2/3.

Sounds like the WBC guys (Murakami, Teel, Antonacci, Mead) will all be in the lineup for the opener to get them reps before leaving. Teel (and I assume Antonacci?) set to leave March 1 to join Team Italy

Fegan's interview with Mune is really worth a read. Here's an especially fun bit: https://soxmachine.com/2026/02/munetaka-murakami-wants-everyone-to-see-my-game Vengeance tour starts Friday:

Mune's Netflix Japan doc is out tomorrow

Mune in uniform for the first time. The inscription on his belt is reportedly his motto since high school:

"Everson Pereira in the Derek Shomon lab" gets a shout here around 1:40

Vibes seem high