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In a major move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a lucrative contract for the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The deal includes a seven-figure signing bonus, issued within 30 days, in addition to compensation of $16 million for the 2026 season and $17M for the final year.

Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his permission and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Historical Context

As part of the acquisition, Chicago owes a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Yakult organization are also entitled to a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the White Sox, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, bolsters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, breaking the single-season record for a NPB hitter previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing primarily at first base, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

International Pedigree

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending double 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 USA, he hit a tying homer in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual title triumph.

The power hitter is set to be unveiled at a press conference on Monday.