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In a significant move for their rebuilding roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a $34 million contract with the power-hitting player.

Deal Structure and Incentives

The agreement includes a $1 million signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16 million for the upcoming season and seventeen million for the following year.

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

• A seven-figure bonus for winning the Most Valuable Player award.
• $500K for placing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for being named the ROY honor.

His deal includes that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his approval and makes him a free agent at the end of the contract. Further benefits include a team-provided interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Historical Context

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

Murakami is set to become the fourth Japanese to represent the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of reliever Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu previously coached Murakami during their time in Japan.

Player Profile

Murakami, a left-side batter who will turn 26 in February, joins a promising group of offensive players in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are finished with a last-place season, placing last in the American League Central but representing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Most Valuable Player honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is famous for a record-breaking 2022 season where he launched 56 HRs, breaking the single-season record for a NPB hitter previously held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's elusive batting Triple Crown.

His last year was shortened to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Even with fanning often, he hit .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in 892 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has more recently played to the hot corner.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that brought home two fellow Japanese stars for a come-from-behind 6-5 win. The following day in the title match against the Team USA, he slugged a game-tying shot in the second inning, paving the way for Japan's subsequent 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is set to be officially presented at a media availability on the coming Monday.