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In a notable move for their rebuilding roster, the American League club have welcomed slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the accomplished player.

Contract Details and Added Benefits

The contract includes a seven-figure signing bonus, payable within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16M for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the following year.

Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for being named the Most Valuable Player award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing second or third in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for being named the top rookie honor.

The agreement also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the term. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Japanese club are also entitled to a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami is set to become the fourth player from Japan to suit up for the Chicago franchise, joining pitcher 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 will turn 26 in February, joins a emerging core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a last-place season, finishing at the bottom in the division but showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, breaking the longstanding record for a player in Japan formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 RBI, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's clutch hitting were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 win. The very next day in the title match against the United States, he blasted a tying home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's subsequent championship win.

The power hitter is slated to be officially presented at a media availability on the coming Monday.