🔗 Share this article

In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract with the power-hitting player.

Financial Terms and Incentives

The contract features a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, alongside compensation of $16M for the next season and $17 million for the 2027 year.

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

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing fourth through 10th.
• An identical bonus for being named the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his consent and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the term. Extra provisions include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization would also receive a 15% cut of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever Japanese-born to suit up for the South Siders, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman 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 will turn 26 in February, enters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is famous for a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, surpassing the longstanding record for a NPB hitter previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to 56 games due to an side strain. Even with recording 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. He started playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he delivered a walk-off two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling one-run win. The following day in the title match against the USA, he blasted a game-tying home run in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday.