🔗 Share this article The White Sox Secure Power Bat Munetaka Murakami on a Major Multi-Million Dollar Contract. In a major move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a lucrative contract bringing in the accomplished player. Financial Terms and Player Perks The agreement grants a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with compensation of sixteen million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the following year. Importantly, Murakami's final-year pay can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026: An additional $1M for being named the MVP award. $500K for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting. $250K for finishing between fourth and tenth. An identical bonus for earning the ROY honor. His deal includes that he cannot be sent to the minors without his approval and makes him a unrestricted player at the termination of the term. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and airfare between his home country and the States. Transfer Payment and Team Legacy As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Japanese club get a additional payment of 15% triggered performance bonuses. Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese 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 previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan. On-Field Accomplishments Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 in February, enters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a 60-102 season, placing last in the AL Central but representing a notable improvement from the previous campaign. A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, surpassing the all-time record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown. His last year was shortened to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with striking out 64 Ks, he hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs. Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing primarily at first base, he has more recently played to third. International Pedigree Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing double that brought home teammates for a dramatic 6-5 victory. The following day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying shot in the early innings, helping Japan's subsequent title triumph. The lefty slugger is set to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.