Chicago's MLB Team Secure Power Bat Munetaka Murakami on an Major Two-Year Contract.
In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract with the high-profile player.
Financial Terms and Added Benefits
The deal grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, in addition to salaries of $16 million for the next season and $17 million for the 2027 year.
Notably, Murakami's final-year pay can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:
- $1 million for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
- $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
- A quarter-million for ranking between fourth and tenth.
- Another $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.
His deal also stipulates that he will not be optioned to the minors without his consent and grants him a free agent at the end of the deal. 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 roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization would also receive a additional payment of 15% triggered salary escalators.
Murakami is set to become the fourth-ever Japanese-born 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 back in Japan.
Player Profile
Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 in February, enters a young lineup in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a last-place season, placing at the bottom in the AL Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the prior campaign.
The winner of back-to-back league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, eclipsing the single-season record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.
His most recent NPB campaign was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.
Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing primarily at first, he has more recently played to the hot corner.
International Pedigree
Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off two-base hit that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic 6-5 win. The following day in the title match against the United States, he blasted a tying home run in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.
The lefty slugger is scheduled to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.