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In a notable move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a two-year contract with the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The deal includes a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with salaries of sixteen million for the next season and $17M for the following year.

Notably, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on performance achievements in 2026:

• A seven-figure bonus for earning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing fourth through 10th.
• Another $250,000 for earning the ROY honor.

The contract includes that he cannot be assigned to the farm system without his approval and allows him to become a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the deal. Additional perks include a club-supplied interpreter and flight reimbursement between the U.S. and Japan.

Transfer Payment and Franchise History

As part of the transaction, Chicago owes a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows get a additional payment of fifteen percent triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami will become the fourth Japanese-born to suit up for the Chicago franchise, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 in February, bolsters a young group of offensive players in Chicago that contains prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a difficult season, placing at the bottom in the American League Central but showing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign.

Having earned Central League MVP honors in consecutive seasons, Murakami is renowned for a monumental 2022 season where he belted 56 home runs, surpassing the single-season record for a NPB hitter previously held by legend Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the youngest player ever to win Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite striking out 64 Ks, he still managed .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-season tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has compiled a .270 lifetime batting average with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. Initially playing primarily at first, he has spent most of his time to third base.

WBC Heroics

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the last World Baseball Classic. In the semi-final against Mexico, he drove in a victory-sealing double that scored teammates for a thrilling 6-5 win. The next night in the championship game against the Team USA, he hit a game-tying home run in the second inning, setting the stage for Japan's subsequent championship win.

The new White Sox addition is set to be officially presented at a press conference on the coming Monday.