In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract with the high-profile player.
Deal Structure and Added Benefits
The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus, issued within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of sixteen million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the final year.
Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on award achievements in 2026:
- A seven-figure bonus for being named the Most Valuable Player award.
- Half a million dollars for placing second or third in MVP voting.
- $250K for finishing fourth through 10th.
- Another $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.
His deal also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his approval and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.
Posting Fee and Franchise History
As part of the acquisition, Chicago is obligated to provide a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows get a 15% cut of any triggered salary escalators.
Murakami will become the fourth Japanese to play for the South Siders, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.
Career Highlights
Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 on February 2nd, joins a promising core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a 60-102 season, placing last in the AL Central but representing a significant improvement from the previous campaign.
A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, breaking the single-season record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.
His last year was curtailed to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Despite fanning often, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.
Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to third.
Global Stage Success
Murakami's heroics were on center stage during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing two-base hit that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The very next day in the final against the United States, he blasted a tying home run in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.
The lefty slugger is slated to be formally introduced at a press conference on the coming Monday.
