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In a major move for their retooling roster, the American League club have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, completing a two-year contract with the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The agreement grants a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the final year.

Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary may grow based on performance achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for being named the league MVP award.
• Half a million dollars for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• A quarter-million for finishing in the top ten.
• $250,000 for winning the top rookie honor.

The contract also stipulates that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a free agent at the termination of the term. Additional perks include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.

Transfer Payment and Historical Context

As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's former team in Japan's professional league. The Japanese club would also receive a additional payment of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become 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). Interestingly, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

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

Having earned league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he hit 56 home runs, breaking the single-season record for a NPB hitter formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted batting Triple Crown.

His last year was limited to a partial schedule due to an side strain. Even with recording 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 strikeouts in 892 contests. He started playing primarily at first, he has since transitioned to third base.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing double that scored two fellow Japanese stars for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The very next day in the championship game against the USA, he slugged a tying homer in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent title triumph.

The lefty slugger is scheduled to be unveiled at a media availability on the coming Monday.