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In a notable move for their retooling roster, the Chicago White Sox have welcomed infielder Munetaka Murakami, finalizing a lucrative contract for the high-profile player.

Deal Structure and Added Benefits

The contract features a seven-figure signing bonus, to be paid within 30 days, in addition to annual pay of $16M for the next season and $17M for the 2027 year.

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

• $1 million for being named the MVP award.
• $500K for finishing in the top three in MVP voting.
• $250K for placing between fourth and tenth.
• $250,000 for winning the Rookie of the Year honor.

The contract also stipulates that he cannot be sent to the farm system without his consent and makes him a unrestricted player at the conclusion of the contract. Extra provisions include a club-supplied interpreter and travel costs between the U.S. and Japan.

Posting Fee and Team Legacy

As part of the signing, Chicago must pay a posting fee of over $6.5 million to the Swallows, Murakami's previous team in Japan's Central League. The Swallows get a additional payment of any triggered performance bonuses.

Murakami joins the ranks as the fourth-ever player from Japan to suit up for the South Siders, following pitcher Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), infielder Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07), and fielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Notably, Takatsu was a manager for Murakami during their time in Japan.

Career Highlights

Murakami, a lefty bat who will turn 26 on February 2nd, bolsters a promising core of hitters in Chicago that includes prospects like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth. The club are finished with a 60-102 season, finishing last in the division but representing a 19-game improvement from the year before campaign.

The winner of back-to-back Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, Murakami is renowned for a historic 2022 season where he belted 56 HRs, breaking the single-season record for a player in Japan formerly held by icon Sadaharu Oh. That year also made him the youngest player ever to secure Japan's elusive Triple Crown.

His last year was curtailed to 56 games due to an muscle issue. Despite fanning 64 times, he still managed .273 with 22 home runs and 47 driven in.

Over his career tenure with the Yakult club, Murakami has accumulated a .270 career batting average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs, and 977 strikeouts in nearly 900 games. Early in his career playing mainly at first base, he has since transitioned to the hot corner.

Global Stage Success

Murakami's heroics were on full display during the 2023 WBC. In the semifinal against Mexico, he delivered a victory-sealing double that brought home Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a dramatic one-run win. The very next day in the championship game against the USA, he blasted a game-tying home run in the early innings, paving the way for Japan's 3-2 3-2 victory.

The power hitter is set to be formally introduced at a introductory event on Monday.