🔗 Share this article

In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract bringing in the accomplished player.

Financial Terms and Incentives

The contract includes a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with salaries of sixteen million for the next season and seventeen million for the following year.

Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing fourth through 10th.
• $250,000 for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and grants him a free agent at the end of the contract. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between his home country and the States.

Compensation and Franchise History

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

Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to play for the White Sox, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 in February, enters a promising core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, placing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, breaking the single-season record for a NPB hitter previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with fanning 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing mostly at first, he has since transitioned to third.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he delivered a walk-off two-base hit that drove in teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's subsequent title triumph.

The power hitter is slated to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.