🔗 Share this article The White Sox Secure Japanese Slugger Munetaka Murakami on an Major Two-Year Deal. In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract bringing in the high-profile player. Financial Terms and Added Benefits The contract includes a substantial signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside salaries of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17M for the 2027 year. Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on performance achievements in 2026: An additional $1M for being named the MVP award. $500,000 for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting. $250,000 for placing between fourth and tenth. Another $250,000 for earning the top rookie honor. The agreement includes that he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the termination of the contract. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S.. Compensation and Franchise History As part of the signing, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's NPB. The Swallows are also entitled to a 15% cut of 15% triggered salary escalators. Murakami will become the fourth player from Japan to represent the White Sox, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan. Career Highlights Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 soon, enters a promising lineup in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a 60-102 season, placing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a notable improvement from the year before campaign. The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, breaking the longstanding record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown. His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite recording 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs. Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. Initially playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to third. International Pedigree Murakami's clutch hitting were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he slugged a equalizing shot in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory. The new White Sox addition is set to be formally introduced at a introductory event on the coming Monday.