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In a major move for their retooling roster, the South Side team have welcomed Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, agreeing to a lucrative contract with the power-hitting player.

Financial Terms and Player Perks

The deal grants a $1 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days, alongside salaries of $16M for the next season and seventeen million for the 2027 year.

Importantly, Murakami's final-year pay may grow based on award achievements in 2026:

• $1 million for earning the MVP award.
• $500,000 for placing second or third in MVP voting.
• $250,000 for finishing between fourth and tenth.
• Another $250,000 for being named the top rookie honor.

The contract provides that he cannot be assigned to the minors without his permission and allows him to become a free agent at the end of the term. Extra provisions include a dedicated interpreter and flight reimbursement between his home country and the States.

Posting Fee and Franchise History

As part of the acquisition, Chicago owes a transfer fee of roughly $6.58 million to the Yakult Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's professional league. The Yakult organization would also receive a additional payment of 15% triggered incentive payments.

Murakami is set to become the fourth player from Japan to represent the White Sox, joining pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu once managed Murakami while both were in Japan.

On-Field Accomplishments

Murakami, a left-handed hitter who will turn 26 on February 2nd, enters a young lineup in Chicago that also features prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing at the bottom in the division but showing a significant improvement from the year before campaign.

A two-time Central League MVP honors in '21 and '22, Murakami is renowned for a monumental 2022 season where he hit 56 HRs, surpassing the single-season record for a Japanese-born player formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That feat also made him the most youthful hitter ever to secure Japan's coveted Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to a partial schedule due to an oblique injury. Despite fanning 64 times, he batted .273 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Over his eight-year tenure with the Swallows, Murakami has accumulated a .270 batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in 892 games. Initially playing mostly at first base, he has since transitioned to third.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's big-game performance were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he drove in a game-ending two-base hit that brought home teammates for a come-from-behind one-run win. The following day in the championship game against the Team USA, he slugged a game-tying homer in the early innings, helping Japan's eventual championship win.

The new White Sox addition is slated to be unveiled at a media availability on the coming Monday.