🔗 Share this article

In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a two-year contract bringing in the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Incentives

The contract grants a substantial signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside salaries of $16 million for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for being named the league MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for ranking between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the termination of the deal. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Historical Context

As part of the acquisition, Chicago is obligated to provide a compensation payment of roughly $6.58 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to represent the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that includes 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 representing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a NPB hitter previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His last year was shortened to 56 games due to an side strain. Despite recording 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. Initially playing primarily at first, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The following day in the final against the United States, he blasted a tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 championship win.

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