The White Sox Secure Power Bat Munetaka Murakami on an Substantial Two-Year Deal.

In a significant move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The contract grants a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, in addition to salaries of sixteen million for the next season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

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

• An additional $1M for earning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for placing fourth through 10th.
• An identical bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract includes that he will not be optioned to the minors without his approval and grants him a unrestricted player at the termination of the term. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization get a additional payment of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth-ever Japanese to represent the White Sox, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu once managed Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 soon, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a 60-102 season, placing last in the AL Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, surpassing the single-season record for a player in Japan previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an oblique injury. Even with recording 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in 892 games. He started playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to third.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending double that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The next night in the final against the USA, he blasted a equalizing shot in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's eventual title triumph.

The power hitter is set to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.