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In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a two-year contract bringing in the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The contract includes a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with compensation of sixteen million for the next season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Notably, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and makes him a unrestricted player at the termination of the deal. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a additional payment of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to play for the Chicago franchise, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, joins a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is renowned for a monumental 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, breaking the single-season record for a NPB hitter formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His 2023 season was shortened to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite recording often, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. He started playing mostly at first, he has spent most of his time to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on center stage during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that drove in teammates for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The next night in the championship game against the United States, he slugged a game-tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is set to be officially presented at a introductory event on Monday.