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In a notable move for their overhauling roster, the Chicago White Sox have officially added slugger Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract for the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The contract features a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, alongside salaries of sixteen million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the following year.

Importantly, Murakami's final-year pay is subject to escalators based on accolade achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for being named the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing in the top ten.
• Another $250,000 for earning the Rookie of the Year honor.

His deal includes that he cannot be assigned to the minor leagues without his approval and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the end of the deal. Additional perks include a team-provided interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the signing, Chicago owes a posting fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Yakult organization get a supplemental fee of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the White Sox, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, enters a promising lineup in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a notable improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous 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 youngest player ever to win Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His most recent NPB campaign was limited to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite recording 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 runs batted in.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 career batting average with 246 home runs, 647 runs batted in, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. He started playing mainly at first base, he has spent most of his time to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on center stage during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a walk-off two-base hit that scored Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The next night in the final against the USA, he blasted a game-tying shot in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's eventual championship win.

The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be unveiled at a introductory event on Monday.