Chicago White Sox Sign Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami on a Lucrative Multi-Million Dollar Contract.
In a significant move for their overhauling roster, the South Side team have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract with the accomplished player.
Financial Terms and Incentives
The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside compensation of $16 million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the final year.
Notably, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on accolade achievements in 2026:
- An additional $1M for being named the Most Valuable Player award.
- $500K 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 top rookie honor.
His deal includes that he cannot be sent to the minor leagues without his permission and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Further benefits include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States.
Compensation and Historical Context
As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a compensation payment of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows would also receive a 15% cut of 15% triggered performance bonuses.
Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Interestingly, Takatsu once managed Murakami during their time in Japan.
Player Profile
Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 in February, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a last-place season, placing last in the AL Central but showing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.
A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 home runs, surpassing the longstanding record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.
His 2023 season was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Even with fanning often, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.
Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and 977 Ks in 892 games. He started playing mainly at first base, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.
Global Stage Success
Murakami's heroics were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing two-base hit that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The following day in the final against the Team USA, he slugged a tying homer in the early innings, helping Japan's subsequent championship win.
The lefty slugger is slated to be formally introduced at a media availability on the coming Monday.
