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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the American League club have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.

Contract Details and Incentives

The contract grants a $1 million signing bonus, issued within 30 days, in addition to salaries of $16M for the 2026 season and seventeen million for the following year.

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

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing in the top ten.
• An identical bonus for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract provides that he will not be optioned to the farm system without his consent and allows him to become a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between Japan and the U.S..

Transfer Payment and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization would also receive a 15% cut of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators.

Murakami will become the fourth-ever player from Japan to play for the South Siders, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami back in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, eclipsing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with recording often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing primarily at first, he has more recently played to third base.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored teammates for a come-from-behind one-run win. The very next day in the final against the United States, he blasted a game-tying home run in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The new White Sox addition is set to be formally introduced at a media availability on Monday.