🔗 Share this article The White Sox Secure Power Bat Munetaka Murakami on an Major Two-Year Contract. In a significant move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract bringing in the accomplished player. Financial Terms and Added Benefits The agreement features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with compensation of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17M for the following year. Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary is subject to escalators based on performance achievements in 2026: An additional $1M for being named the MVP award. Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting. $250,000 for placing fourth through 10th. $250,000 for being named the ROY honor. His deal provides that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his permission and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the termination of the contract. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between his home country and the States. Posting Fee and Historical Context As part of the signing, Chicago owes a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club are also entitled to a additional payment of any triggered performance bonuses. Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese to represent the White Sox, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami while both were in Japan. Career Highlights Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 in February, enters a emerging group of offensive players in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are coming off a 60-102 season, placing last in the division but showing a notable improvement from the prior campaign. Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a monumental 2022 season where he launched 56 homers, surpassing the single-season record for a NPB hitter previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown. His last year was limited to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Even with recording 64 times, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 driven in. Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 contests. Initially playing mostly at first, he has more recently played to third base. International Pedigree Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The very next day in the final against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying homer in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's eventual title triumph. The power hitter is slated to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.