🔗 Share this article

In a major move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.

Financial Terms and Player Perks

The agreement features a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to compensation of $16M for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for being named the ROY honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his approval and grants him a free agent at the termination of the term. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago owes a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Swallows get a additional payment of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese to play for the White Sox, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 soon, joins a promising lineup in Chicago that also features 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 showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

The winner of back-to-back league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, surpassing the single-season record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Despite fanning often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in 892 games. He started playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that brought home teammates for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The following day in the final against the USA, he slugged a equalizing home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's subsequent title triumph.

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