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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the South Side team have signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract bringing in the power-hitting player.

Financial Terms and Added Benefits

The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to salaries of sixteen million for the next season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Additionally, Murakami's compensation can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500,000 for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his consent and makes him a unrestricted player at the termination of the deal. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.

Compensation and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago is obligated to provide a transfer fee of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese-born to represent the Chicago franchise, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 soon, joins a emerging lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami made history with a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, eclipsing the single-season record for a player in Japan previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 homers, 647 runs batted in, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing primarily at first, he has since transitioned to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind one-run win. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he slugged a tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

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