🔗 Share this article

In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract with the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The agreement features a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to compensation of $16 million for the next season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing fourth through 10th.
• $250,000 for winning the top rookie honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his approval and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the term. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows get a additional payment of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become the fourth-ever player from Japan to play for the Chicago franchise, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 soon, joins a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a last-place season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, eclipsing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was limited to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning often, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBI, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing mainly at first, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind one-run win. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he blasted a equalizing shot in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual championship win.

The lefty slugger is slated to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.