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In a significant move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract with the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The deal features a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside salaries of $16M for the upcoming season and $17 million for the following year.

Additionally, Murakami's compensation is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for earning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The agreement provides that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his consent and grants him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Historical Context

As part of the acquisition, Chicago owes a posting fee of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese to represent the South Siders, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, joins a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the division but showing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with striking out 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. Initially playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing two-base hit that drove in teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The next night in the final against the USA, he slugged a equalizing shot in the second inning, helping Japan's eventual title triumph.

The lefty slugger is set to be officially presented at a press conference on Monday.