🔗 Share this article Chicago White Sox Secure Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami on an Substantial Two-Year Contract. In a significant move for their retooling roster, the American League club have officially added Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a $34 million contract for the high-profile player. Financial Terms and Added Benefits The deal features a substantial signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, combined with salaries of sixteen million for the upcoming season and $17 million for the final year. Importantly, Murakami's 2027 salary can increase based on accolade achievements in 2026: An additional $1M for earning the Most Valuable Player award. $500,000 for finishing as runner-up or in third place in MVP voting. $250K for finishing in the top ten. An identical bonus for earning the top rookie honor. The contract includes that he will not be optioned to the minor leagues without his permission and makes him a free agent at the end of the term. Additional perks include a dedicated interpreter and airfare between the U.S. and Japan. Transfer Payment and Franchise History As part of the signing, Chicago owes a transfer fee of over $6.5 million to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Murakami's longtime team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization would also receive a 15% cut of 15% triggered salary escalators. Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth player from Japan to play for the Chicago franchise, in the footsteps of pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Of note, Takatsu once managed Murakami back in Japan. Player Profile Murakami, a lefty bat who turns 26 soon, enters a promising lineup in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The team are coming off a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the previous campaign. The winner of back-to-back league MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he hit 56 home runs, eclipsing the longstanding record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That performance also made him the most youthful hitter ever to achieve Japan's prestigious batting Triple Crown. His most recent NPB campaign was limited to just 56 appearances due to an muscle issue. Even with recording 64 Ks, he batted .273 with 22 HRs and 47 RBIs. Over his eight-year tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has posted a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBI, and 977 Ks in nearly 900 games. He started playing primarily at first, he has since transitioned to third base. Global Stage Success Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In the penultimate game against Mexico, he drove in a walk-off double that drove in two fellow Japanese stars for a thrilling 6-5 victory. The very next day in the championship game against the USA, he blasted a equalizing shot in the early innings, helping Japan's eventual 3-2 victory. The power hitter is slated to be unveiled at a press conference on the coming Monday.