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In a major move for their overhauling roster, the South Side team have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a lucrative contract for the high-profile player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

The deal features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16 million for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the final year.

Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the league MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250K for ranking in the top ten.
• Another $250,000 for winning the top rookie honor.

His deal includes that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his approval and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the termination of the deal. 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 signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 on February 2nd, joins a emerging lineup in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing last in the American League Central but showing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, surpassing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was limited to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Despite recording 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in 892 contests. Initially playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing two-base hit that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The next night in the title match against the United States, he blasted a equalizing home run in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 championship win.

The new White Sox addition is slated to be officially presented at a press conference on Monday.