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In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have officially added infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a lucrative contract for the accomplished player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The deal includes a substantial signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside salaries of sixteen million for the 2026 season and $17 million for the final year.

Notably, Murakami's final-year pay can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for being named the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the ROY honor.

The agreement provides that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his approval and makes him a free agent at the end of the deal. Extra provisions include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between Japan and the U.S..

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the transaction, Chicago must pay a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club are also entitled to a 15% cut of 15% triggered salary escalators.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu previously coached Murakami back in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, joins a promising core of hitters in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but representing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was shortened to just 56 appearances due to an side strain. Despite recording often, he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 HRs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games. He started playing mainly at first base, he has spent most of his time to third base.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on global view during the 2023 WBC. In the semi-final against Mexico, he hit a walk-off two-base hit that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling one-run win. The following day in the final against the United States, he hit a equalizing shot in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's 3-2 title triumph.

The lefty slugger is set to be formally introduced at a media availability on the coming Monday.