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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a lucrative contract with the power-hitting player.

Financial Terms and Player Perks

The agreement grants a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, combined with salaries of $16 million for the next season and $17 million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's compensation can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for earning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500K for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing in the top ten.
• Another $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his approval and makes him a free agent at the end of the contract. Further benefits include a dedicated interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Swallows get a additional payment of 15% triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to represent the South Siders, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 in February, bolsters a promising core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the division but showing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.

A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is renowned for a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, surpassing the all-time record for a Japanese-born player previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite recording 64 Ks, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 driven in.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 homers, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing primarily at first base, he has spent most of his time to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind one-run win. The very next day in the title match against the United States, he slugged a equalizing shot in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent title triumph.

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