🔗 Share this article

In a notable move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

The agreement features a $1 million signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside compensation of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Additionally, Murakami's final-year pay may grow based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for earning the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his approval and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows are also entitled to a 15% cut of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese to play for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 soon, enters a young core of hitters in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a last-place season, placing last in the AL Central but representing a significant improvement from the prior campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, breaking the all-time record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite fanning 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 games. He started playing mainly at first, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The following day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying homer in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual 3-2 victory.

The lefty slugger is set to be formally introduced at a press conference on the coming Monday.