🔗 Share this article

In a notable move for their retooling roster, the American League club have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Player Perks

The contract grants a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to compensation of $16M for the next season and $17M for the final year.

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

• $1 million for being named the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing fourth through 10th.
• $250,000 for being named the Rookie of the Year honor.

The agreement includes that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his consent and makes 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 Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization would also receive a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese to suit up for the White Sox, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 in February, enters a promising core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a difficult season, finishing last 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 made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, breaking the all-time record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an muscle issue. Even with recording 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. He started playing primarily at first base, he has spent most of his time to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling 6-5 win. The following day in the title match against the Team USA, he hit a tying shot in the second inning, helping Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.