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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The deal includes a substantial signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to compensation of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Additionally, Murakami's final-year pay can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for being named the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for placing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his approval and grants him a free agent at the termination of the term. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States.

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows would also receive a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to suit up for the White Sox, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 soon, bolsters a promising core of hitters in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, surpassing the single-season record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite recording 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing mostly at first base, he has spent most of his time to third.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The next night in the final against the United States, he blasted a equalizing home run in the early innings, helping Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is scheduled to be formally introduced at a media availability on the coming Monday.