The White Sox Land Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami on a Lucrative Multi-Million Dollar Deal.
In a notable move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed slugger Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract for the high-profile player.
Deal Structure and Incentives
The deal grants a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, alongside salaries of $16 million for the 2026 season and $17 million for the final year.
Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on performance achievements in 2026:
- A seven-figure bonus for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
- Half a million dollars for placing second or third in MVP voting.
- $250K for placing in the top ten.
- Another $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.
His deal provides that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his permission and grants him a free agent at the conclusion of the contract. Additional perks include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.
Transfer Payment and Historical Context
As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization would also receive a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered salary escalators.
Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to represent the Chicago franchise, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.
Player Profile
Murakami, a left-side batter who turns 26 on February 2nd, enters a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a 60-102 season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.
Having earned Central League MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 homers, eclipsing the all-time record for a Japanese-born player previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.
His most recent NPB campaign was curtailed to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite recording 64 Ks, he batted .273 with 22 home runs and 47 driven in.
Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to third.
WBC Heroics
Murakami's clutch hitting were on center stage during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic one-run win. The following day in the title match against the USA, he blasted a equalizing home run in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 championship win.
The power hitter is set to be officially presented at a introductory event on Monday.
