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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the South Side team have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Contract Details and Incentives

The agreement grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside compensation of $16 million for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the final year.

Notably, Murakami's compensation is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• Half a million dollars for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal includes that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his permission and grants him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between Japan and the U.S..

Compensation and Historical Context

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese to play for the Chicago franchise, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 soon, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, breaking the all-time record for a player in Japan formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

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

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing mostly at first, he has since transitioned to third.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on global view during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The next night in the championship game against the Team USA, he blasted a tying home run in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.