Chicago White Sox Land Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami on an Lucrative Two-Year Agreement.
In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have signed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract for the high-profile player.
Financial Terms and Added Benefits
The contract includes a $1 million signing bonus, issued within 30 days, alongside annual pay of $16M for the upcoming season and $17 million for the 2027 year.
Additionally, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:
- $1 million for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
- Half a million dollars for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting.
- A quarter-million for finishing fourth through 10th.
- An identical bonus for being named the ROY honor.
The contract provides that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his consent and grants him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the term. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and travel costs between Japan and the U.S..
Transfer Payment and Franchise History
As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a compensation payment of $6,575,000 to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's NPB. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of 15% triggered incentive payments.
Murakami is set to become the fourth player from Japan to suit up for the White Sox, joining reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.
Career Highlights
Murakami, a left-handed hitter who turns 26 soon, enters a young lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox are coming off a difficult season, placing last in the division but representing a notable improvement from the prior campaign.
The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, breaking the longstanding record for a NPB hitter previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to achieve Japan's prestigious Triple Crown.
His last year was curtailed to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with striking out often, he hit .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.
Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to the hot corner.
International Pedigree
Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he delivered a walk-off two-base hit that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a dramatic one-run win. The following day in the title match against the USA, he blasted a game-tying shot in the early innings, setting the stage for Japan's eventual title triumph.
The new White Sox addition is scheduled to be formally introduced at a introductory event on Monday.
