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In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the South Side team have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract with the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Player Perks

The agreement includes a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside annual pay of $16M for the 2026 season and $17M for the final year.

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

• An additional $1M for winning the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing fourth through 10th.
• An identical bonus for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minors without his consent and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Japanese club are also entitled to a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth player from Japan to represent the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a young lineup in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a 60-102 season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, breaking the all-time record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with striking out 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Initially playing primarily at first, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that scored teammates for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The very next day in the championship game against the USA, he slugged a game-tying shot in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is scheduled to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.