🔗 Share this article

In a major move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The agreement features a $1 million signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside salaries of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17 million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary is subject to escalators based on award achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for earning the league MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for earning the ROY honor.

The contract includes that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his approval and makes him a free agent at the end of the contract. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and airfare between his home country and the States.

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization would also receive a additional payment of 15% triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 in February, enters a emerging lineup in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the AL Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.

The winner of back-to-back league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was limited to just 56 appearances due to an oblique injury. Even with striking out 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. Initially playing primarily at first base, he has spent most of his time to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind one-run win. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he blasted a equalizing shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's subsequent title triumph.

The new White Sox addition is set to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday.