🔗 Share this article

In a significant move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract with the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The agreement features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the final year.

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

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for placing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for earning the ROY honor.

His deal provides that he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States.

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows are also entitled to a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to play for the Chicago franchise, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a last-place season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign.

A two-time league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, 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 secure Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games. Initially playing mainly at first, he has more recently played to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on global view during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a victory-sealing two-base hit that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The next night in the final against the Team USA, he slugged a game-tying homer in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is slated to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.