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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, completing a $34 million contract with the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The deal features a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with salaries of $16M for the 2026 season and $17M for the final year.

Importantly, Murakami's compensation is subject to escalators based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• An additional $1M for winning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he will not be optioned to the minors without his approval and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States.

Transfer Payment and Historical Context

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club would also receive a supplemental fee of any triggered incentive payments.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever Japanese-born to play for the South Siders, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 in February, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a 60-102 season, placing last in the American League Central but representing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, surpassing the all-time record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to a partial schedule due to an muscle issue. Despite striking out 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. He started playing mostly at first, he has spent most of his time to third.

International Pedigree

Murakami's heroics were on center stage during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind one-run win. The following day in the championship game against the United States, he slugged a equalizing shot in the second inning, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.

The lefty slugger is slated to be unveiled at a media availability on Monday.