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In a major move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract with the power-hitting player.

Contract Details and Incentives

The deal grants a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to salaries of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17M for the 2027 year.

Additionally, Murakami's final-year pay may grow based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• An identical bonus for being named the top rookie honor.

The agreement provides that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his approval and grants him a unrestricted player at the termination of the term. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the acquisition, Chicago must pay a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Swallows get a 15% cut of 15% triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese-born to play for the White Sox, following reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami while both were in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 in February, enters a emerging lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a difficult season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 homers, eclipsing the all-time record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

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

Over his career tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. He started playing mostly at first, he has more recently played to third base.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's big-game performance were on center stage during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a come-from-behind 6-5 victory. The following day in the title match against the United States, he blasted a game-tying home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's eventual title triumph.

The power hitter is slated to be officially presented at a press conference on Monday.